Drone Air Traffic Control Over Satellite Networks

ABSTRACT

An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air traffic control method utilizing wireless networks includes communicating with a plurality of UAVs via a plurality of satellites associated with the wireless networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardware and antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of satellites; maintaining data associated with flight of each of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating; and processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of function associated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S)

The present patent/application is continuation-in-part of, and thecontent of each is incorporated by reference herein

Filing Date Ser. No. Title Jul. 30, 2020 16/942,860 Center of GravityBased Drone Loading for Packages Jan. 27, 2020 16/752,849 Drone AirTraffic Control over wireless networks for urgent package pickup anddelivery Aug. 10, 2018 16/100,296 Drone Air Traffic Control overwireless networks for package pickup and delivery Jun. 6, 201816/000,950 Flying Lane Management with Lateral Separations betweenDrones May 22, 2018 15/985,996 Drone collision avoidance via Air TrafficControl over wireless networks Nov. 1, 2017 15/800,574 Elevator or tubelift for drone takeoff and control thereof via air traffic controlsystems Oct. 31, 2016 15/338,559 Waypoint directory in air trafficcontrol systems for unmanned aerial vehicles Oct. 13, 2016 15/292,782Managing dynamic obstructions in air traffic control systems forunmanned aerial vehicles Sep. 19, 2016 15/268,831 Managing detectedobstructions in air traffic control systems for unmanned aerial vehiclesSep. 2, 2016 15/255,672 Obstruction detection in air traffic controlsystems for unmanned aerial vehicles Jul. 22, 2016 15/217,135 Flyinglane management systems and methods for unmanned aerial vehicles Aug.23, 2016 15/244,023 Air traffic control monitoring systems and methodsfor unmanned aerial vehicles Jun. 27, 2016 15/193,488 Air trafficcontrol of unmanned aerial vehicles for delivery applications Jun. 17,2016 15/185,598 Air traffic control of unmanned aerial vehiclesconcurrently using a plurality of wireless networks Jun. 10, 201615/179,188 Air traffic control of unmanned aerial vehicles via wirelessnetworks

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure relates generally to drone or Unmanned AerialVehicles (UAVs) or drones. More particularly, the present disclosurerelates to systems and methods for drone air traffic control oversatellite networks.

BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE

Use of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs or “drones”) is proliferating.UAVs are used for a variety of applications such as search and rescue,inspections, security, surveillance, scientific research, aerialphotography and video, surveying, cargo delivery, and the like. With theproliferation, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is providingregulations associated with the use of UAVs. Existing air trafficcontrol in the United States is performed through a dedicated airtraffic control network, i.e., the National Airspace System (NAS).However, it is impractical to use the existing air traffic controlnetwork for UAVs because of the sheer quantity of UAVs. Also, it isexpected that UAVs will be autonomous, requiring communication forflight control as well. There will be a need for systems and methods toprovide air traffic control and communication to UAVs.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In an exemplary embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air trafficcontrol method utilizing wireless networks includes communicating with aplurality of UAVs via a plurality of satellites associated with thewireless networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardwareand antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of satellites;maintaining data associated with flight of each of the plurality of UAVsbased on the communicating; and processing the maintained data toperform a plurality of functions associated with air traffic control ofthe plurality of UAVs. The UAV-based method can further includetransmitting data based on the processing to one or more of theplurality of UAVs to perform the plurality of functions. The pluralityof UAVs can be configured to additionally communicate with one or morecellular networks and include hardware and antennas adapted tocommunicate to a plurality of cell towers, and wherein the plurality ofUAVs are further configured to constrain flight based on coverage of aplurality of call towers and satellites. The constrained flight caninclude one or more of pre-configuring the plurality of UAVs to operateonly where the coverage exists, monitoring signal strength by theplurality of UAVs and adjusting flight based therein, and a combinationthereof. The maintaining data can include the plurality of UAVs and/orthe plurality of satellites providing location, speed, direction, andaltitude. The location can be determined based on a combination oftriangulation by the plurality of satellites and a determination by theUAV based on a location identification network. The plurality offunctions can include one or more of separation assurance between UAVs;navigation assistance; weather and obstacle reporting; monitoring ofspeed, altitude, location, and direction; traffic management; landingservices; and real-time control. One or more of the plurality of UAVscan be configured for autonomous operation through the air trafficcontrol. The plurality of UAVs can be configured with mobile devicehardware configured to operate on a plurality of different networks.

In another exemplary embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)adapted for air traffic control via an air traffic control systemcommunicatively coupled to wireless networks includes one or more rotorsdisposed to a body; wireless interfaces including hardware and antennasadapted to communicate to the plurality of satellites; a processorcoupled to the wireless interfaces and the one or more rotors; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:communicate with a plurality of satellites associated with the wirelessnetworks; transmit data associated with flight of each of the pluralityof UAVs based on the communication with the plurality of satellites; andreceive data from the plurality of satellites based on maintained databy the air traffic control system to perform a plurality of functionsassociated with air traffic control of the UAV. The UAV can beconfigured to additionally communicate with one or more cellularnetworks and include hardware and antennas adapted to communicate to aplurality of cell towers, and wherein the UAV is further configured toconstrain flight based on coverage of a plurality of call towers andsatellites. The constrained flight can include one or more ofpre-configuring the UAV to operate only where the coverage exists,monitoring signal strength by the UAV and adjusting flight basedtherein, and a combination thereof. The maintained data can include theUAV and/or the plurality of satellites providing location, speed,direction, and altitude. The location can be determined based on acombination of triangulation by the plurality of satellites and adetermination by the UAV based on a location identification network. Theplurality of functions can include one or more of separation assurancebetween UAVs; navigation assistance; weather and obstacle reporting;monitoring of speed, altitude, location, and direction; trafficmanagement; landing services; and real-time control. The UAV can beconfigured for autonomous operation through the air traffic controlsystem. The UAV can be configured with mobile device hardware configuredto operate on a plurality of different networks.

In a further exemplary embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) airtraffic control system utilizing wireless networks includes a processorand a network interface communicatively coupled to one another; andmemory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:communicate, via the network interface, with a plurality of UAVs via aplurality of satellites associated with the wireless networks, whereinthe plurality of UAVs each include hardware and antennas adapted tocommunicate to the plurality of satellites; maintain data associatedwith flight of each of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating;and process the maintained data to perform a plurality of functionsassociated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs. Theplurality of UAVs can be configured to additionally communicate with oneor more cellular networks and include hardware and antennas adapted tocommunicate to a plurality of cell towers, and wherein the plurality ofUAVs are further configured to constrain flight based on coverage of aplurality of call towers and satellites. The constrained flight caninclude one or more of pre-configuring the plurality of UAVs to operateonly where the coverage exists, monitoring signal strength by theplurality of UAVs and adjusting flight based therein, and a combinationthereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein withreference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers areused to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate, andin which:

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a side view of an example cell site;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a UAV for use with the systems andmethods described herein;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a mobile device, which may be embedded orassociated with the UAV of FIG. 1 ;

FIG. 4 is a network diagram of various cell sites deployed in ageographic region;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of functional components of a UAV air trafficcontrol system;

FIG. 6 is a diagram of various cell sites deployed in a geographicregion;

FIG. 7 is a map of three cell towers and associated coverage areas fordescribing location determination of the UAV;

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control method utilizingwireless networks;

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control method concurrentlyutilizing a plurality of wireless networks;

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a package delivery authorization andmanagement method utilizing the UAV air traffic control system of FIG. 5;

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a flight path of an associated flying lane of aUAV from takeoff to landing;

FIG. 12 is a diagram of obstruction detection by the UAV and associatedchanges to the flying lane;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a flying lane management method via an airtraffic control system communicatively coupled to a UAV via one or morewireless networks;

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of functional components of a consolidatedUAV air traffic control monitoring system;

FIG. 15 is a screenshot of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) providing aview of the consolidated UAV air traffic control monitoring system;

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control and monitor method;

FIGS. 17 and 18 are block diagrams of the UAV air traffic control systemdescribing functionality associated with obstruction detection,identification, and management with FIG. 17 describing data transferfrom the UAVs to the servers and FIG. 18 describing data transfer to theUAVs from the servers;

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an obstruction detection and management methodimplemented through the UAV air traffic control system for the UAVs;

FIG. 20 is a diagram of geographical terrain with static obstructions;

FIG. 21 is diagrams of data structures which can be used to define theexact location of any of the static obstructions;

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a static obstruction detection and managementmethod through an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system for Unmanned AerialVehicles (UAVs);

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of functional components implemented inphysical components in the UAV for use with the air traffic controlsystem, such as for dynamic and static obstruction detection;

FIG. 24 is a flowchart of a UAV method for obstruction detection;

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a waypoint management method for an AirTraffic Control (ATC) system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs);

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a UAV network switchover and emergencyprocedure method;

FIG. 27 is a diagram of a lift tube and a staging location;

FIG. 28 is a diagram of the lift tube in a location such as a factory,warehouse, distribution center, etc.;

FIG. 29 is a diagram of a pneumatic lift tube;

FIG. 30 is a diagram of an elevator lift tube;

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a modified inevitable collision state methodfor collision avoidance of drones;

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a flying lane management method;

FIG. 33 is a diagram of a drone delivery system using the ATC system;

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of Drone Air Traffic Control (ATC) method overwireless networks for package pickup and delivery;

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control management methodwhich provides real-time course corrections and route optimizationsbased on weather information;

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a package delivery method;

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a package delivery and return method;

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a package delivery method;

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a package delivery delay method;

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of a package delivery cancelation method;

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a package delivery method;

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of a package delivery method;

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of a package delivery method;

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of an urgent package delivery method;

FIG. 45 is a perspective view of a UAV loaded with an item for use withthe systems and methods described herein;

FIG. 46 is a perspective view of a UAV loaded with a container for usewith the systems and methods described herein;

FIG. 47 is a perspective view of a UAV including a cargo bay for usewith the systems and methods described herein;

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of a method for loading a UAV with one or moreitems;

FIG. 49 is a flowchart of a method for loading a UAV with multipleitems;

FIG. 50 is a schematic illustration of a container with multiple itemspositioned therein;

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a UAV for use with the systems andmethods described herein;

FIG. 52 is a flowchart of a method for loading a UAV with one or moreitems;

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of a method for loading a UAV with one or moreitems;

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of a method for loading a UAV with one or moreitems;

FIG. 55 is a flowchart of a method for loading a UAV with one or moreitems; and

FIG. 56 is a diagram of a satellite network.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

In various exemplary embodiments, the present disclosure relates to airtraffic control of UAVs via satellite networks. Specifically, thepresent disclosure may utilize existing or new satellite networks toprovide air traffic control of UAVs. Also, the satellite networks can beused in combination with other networks such as other wireless networksincluding cellular networks or the like. Advantageously, satellitenetworks provide low latency connectivity, low cost connectivity, andbroad geographic coverage. The air traffic control of the UAVs caninclude, for example, separation assurance between UAVs; navigationassistance; weather and obstacle reporting; monitoring of speed,altitude, location, direction, etc.; traffic management; landingservices; and real-time control. The UAV is equipped with a mobiledevice, such as an embedded mobile device or physical hardware emulatinga mobile device. In an exemplary embodiment, the UAV can be equippedwith hardware to support plural satellite networks in combination withother wireless networks, to allow for broad coverage support. In anotherexemplary embodiment, UAV flight plans can be constrained based on theavailability of coverage. In a further exemplary embodiment, the airtraffic control can use plural satellite networks in combination withother wireless networks for different purposes such as using a NASnetwork for location and traffic management and using the satellitenetwork for the other functions. The term networks and wireless networksused herein shall be contemplated as referring to satellite networks,cellular networks, NAS networks, and other networks of the like.

Further, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for DroneAir Traffic Control (ATC) over networks for package pickup and delivery.Embodiments describe drone service delivery using the ATC over networks.A drone delivery service can manage delivery for a variety of providersenabling drone delivery for smaller providers. Further, the ATC systemcan be used to schedule, manage, and coordinate pickup, distribution,delivery, and returns.

Further, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods forflying lane management with lateral separation between drones. Thisdisclosure relates to lateral separations between drones (UAV's)operating in the same flying lane or at the same altitude and in thesame proximity or geography. Further, the present disclosure relates tosystems and methods for drone collision avoidance via an Air TrafficControl System over networks. Specifically, the systems and methodsinclude a modified Inevitable Collision State (ICS) for UAV or drone AirTraffic Control (ATC). A traditional ICS states that no matter what thefuture trajectory is, a collision with an obstacle eventually occurs.The modified ICS described herein considers various variables todetermine if there is a possibility for a future collision. This enablespredictions of collision and an ability to react/redirect drones awayfrom areas and objects which could be the cause of a collision.

Further, the present disclosure relates to an elevator or tube lift fordrone takeoff and for control thereof via an Air Traffic Control (ATC)system. Specifically, the elevator or tube lift contemplates location ina factory, warehouse, distribution center, etc. such that UAVs can beloaded with products or delivery items and then take off from anelevated position or rooftop without an individual carrying the UAV tothe roof or outside.

Further, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for dronenetwork switchover between networks (i.e., wireless networks, satellitenetworks, NAS networks, etc.) such as during outages, failures,catastrophes, etc. As described herein, an Air Traffic Control (ATC)system can be used to control UAVs or drones with communication viaexisting networks. The UAVs can be configured to communicate on multipledifferent networks, such as a primary and a backup network. The systemsand methods herein provide techniques for the switchover from onenetwork to another under certain circumstances. Additionally, emergencyinstructions can be provided to the UAVs in case of networkdisturbances, e.g., in the event the UAV cannot reestablishcommunication with the ATC system.

Further, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for witha waypoint directory in air traffic control systems for UAVs. A waypointis a reference point in physical space used for purposes of navigationin the air traffic control systems for UAVs. Variously, the systems andmethods describe managing waypoints by an air traffic control systemwhich uses one or more networks and by associated UAVs in communicationwith the air traffic control system. The waypoints can be defined basedon the geography, e.g., different sizes for dense urban areas, suburbanmetro areas, and rural areas. The air traffic control system canmaintain a status of each waypoint, e.g., clear, obstructed, or unknown.The status can be continually updated and managed with the UAVs and usedfor routing the UAVs.

Further, the present disclosure relates to the present disclosurerelates to systems and methods for managing detected obstructions withair traffic control systems for UAVs. Variously, the systems and methodsprovide a mechanism in the Air Traffic Control (ATC) System tocharacterize detected obstructions at or near the ground. In anembodiment, the detected obstructions are dynamic obstructions, i.e.,moving at or near the ground. Examples of dynamic obstructions caninclude, without limitation, other UAVs, vehicles on the ground, craneson the ground, and the like. Generally, dynamic obstruction managementincludes managing other UAVs at or near the ground and managing objectson the ground which are moving which could either interfere with landingor with low-flying UAVs. In various embodiment, the UAVs are equipped tolocally detect and identify dynamic obstructions for avoidance thereofand to notify the ATC system for management thereof.

Further, the detected obstructions are static obstructions, i.e., notmoving, which can be temporary or permanent. The ATC system canimplement a mechanism to accurately define the location of the detectedobstructions, for example, a virtual rectangle, cylinder, etc. definedby location coordinates and altitude. The defined location can bemanaged and determined between the ATC system and the UAVs as well ascommunicated to the UAVs for flight avoidance. That is, the definedlocation can be a “no-fly” zone for the UAVs. Importantly, the definedlocation can be precise since it is expected there are a significantnumber of obstructions at or near the ground and the UAVs need tocoordinate their flight to avoid these obstructions. In this manner, thesystems and methods seek to minimize the no-fly zones.

Further, the present disclosure relates to obstruction detection systemsand methods with air traffic control systems for UAVs. Specifically, thesystems and methods use a framework of an air traffic control systemwhich uses networks to communicate with various UAVs. Through suchcommunication, the air traffic control system receives continuousupdates related to existing obstructions whether temporary or permanent,maintains a database of present obstructions, and updates the variousUAVs with associated obstructions in their flight plan. The systems andmethods can further direct UAVs to investigate, capture data, andprovide such data for analysis to detect and identify obstructions foraddition in the database. The systems and methods can make use of thevast data collection equipment on UAVs, such as cameras, radar, etc. toproperly identify and classify obstructions.

Further, the present disclosure relates to air traffic controlmonitoring systems and methods for UAVs. Conventional FAA Air TrafficControl monitoring approaches are able to track and monitor allairplanes flying in the U.S. concurrently. Such approaches do not scalewith UAVs which can exceed airplanes in numbers by several orders ofmagnitude. The systems and methods provide a hierarchical monitoringapproach where zones or geographic regions of coverage are aggregatedinto a consolidated view for monitoring and control. The zones orgeographic regions can provide local monitoring and control while theconsolidated view can provide national monitoring and control inaddition to local monitoring and control through a drill-down process. Aconsolidated server can aggregate data from various sources of controlfor zones or geographic regions. From this consolidated server,monitoring and control can be performed for any UAV communicativelycoupled to a network.

Further, flying lane management systems and methods are described forUAVs such as through an air traffic control system that uses one or morenetworks. As described herein, a flying lane for a UAV represents itspath from takeoff to landing at a certain time. The objective of flyinglane management is to prevent collisions, congestion, etc. with UAVs inflight. A flying lane can be modeled as a vector which includescoordinates and altitude (i.e., x, y, and z coordinates) at a specifiedtime. The flying lane also can include speed and heading such that thefuture location can be determined. The flying lane management systemsutilize one or more networks to manage UAVs in various applications.

Note, flying lanes for UAVs have significant differences fromconventional air traffic control flying lanes for aircraft (i.e.,commercial airliners). First, there will be orders of magnitude moreUAVs in flight than aircraft. This creates a management and scale issue.Second, air traffic control for UAVs is slightly different than aircraftin that collision avoidance is paramount in aircraft; while stillimportant for UAVs, the objective does not have to be collisionavoidance at all costs. It is further noted that this ties into thescale issue where the system for managing UAVs will have to manage somany more UAVs. Collision avoidance in UAVs is about avoiding propertydamage in the air (deliveries and the UAVs) and on the ground; collisionavoidance in commercial aircraft is about safety. Third, UAVs are flyingat different altitudes, much closer to the ground, i.e., there may bemany more ground-based obstructions. Fourth, UAVs do not have designatedtakeoff/landing spots, i.e., airports, causing the different flightphases to be intertwined more, again adding to more managementcomplexity.

To address these differences, the flying lane management systems andmethods provide an autonomous/semi-autonomous management system, usingone or more networks, to control and manage UAVs in flight, in allphases of a flying plane and adaptable based on continuous feedback andever-changing conditions. Additionally, the present disclosure relatesto integrating real-time weather information into flying lanemanagement.

Also, the present disclosure relates to air traffic control of UAVs indelivery applications, i.e., using the drones to deliver packages, etc.to end users. Specifically, an air traffic control system utilizesexisting networks, such as wireless networks including wireless providernetworks, i.e., cell networks, using Long Term Evolution (LTE) or thelike, to provide air traffic control of UAVs. Also, the cell networkscan be used in combination with other networks such as the NAS networkor the like.

The present disclosure leverages the existing wireless networks, andother networks contemplated herein, to address various issues associatedwith specific UAV applications such as delivery and to address the vastnumber of UAVs concurrently expected in flight relative to air trafficcontrol. In an embodiment, in addition to air traffic control, the airtraffic control system also supports package delivery authorization andmanagement, landing authorization and management, separation assurancethrough altitude and flying lane coordination, and the like. Thus, theair traffic control system, leveraging existing wireless networks, canalso provide application-specific support.

Further, the present disclosure relates to the loading of UAVs fordelivery of items, such as stand-alone objects and packages with objectscontained therein. Loading items in a UAV can significantly alter theCenter Of Gravity (COG) of the UAV, which can affect the control of theUAV and the ability of the UAV to follow a flight path. In the presentdisclosure, the COG for each of the items is obtained. The items arethen positioned to match a combined COG with that of the UAV, such aswithin a predetermined region relative to the COG of the unloaded UAV.While combining multiple items together to match the COG of the multipleitems to the COG of the unloaded UAV, the weight and size of each itemcan be used to determine relative positions of the items to match theCOG of the combined items with that of the unloaded UAV.

Due to the imbalance of some items, it may be difficult to match the COGof one or more items with that of the unloaded UAV. In order to overcomethese imbalances, weights can be added to an interior or exterior of theUAV to match the combined COG of the weights and the one or more itemswith that of the unloaded UAV.

The items and weights can be secured in place using restraints, spacers,and the like to ensure that the items do not shift during flight and toensure that the combined COG of the items remains within thepredetermined region during flight.

§ 1.0 Cell Site

FIG. 1 is a diagram of a side view of a cell site 10. The cell site 10includes a cell tower 12. The cell tower 12 can be any type of elevatedstructure, such as 100-200 feet/30-60 meters tall. Generally, the celltower 12 is an elevated structure for holding cell site components 14.The cell tower 12 may also include a lightning rod 16 and a warninglight 18. Of course, there may various additional components associatedwith the cell tower 12 and the cell site 10 which are omitted forillustration purposes. In this embodiment, there are four sets 20, 22,24, 26 of cell site components 14, such as for four different wirelessservice providers. In this example, the sets 20, 22, 24 include variousantennas 30 for cellular service. The sets 20, 22, 24 are deployed insectors, e.g., there can be three sectors for the cell sitecomponents—alpha, beta, and gamma. The antennas 30 are used to bothtransmit a radio signal to a mobile device and receive the signal fromthe mobile device. The antennas 30 are usually deployed as a single,groups of two, three or even four per sector. The higher the frequencyof spectrum supported by the antenna 30, the shorter the antenna 30. Forexample, the antennas 30 may operate around 850 MHz, 1.9 GHz, and thelike. The set 26 includes a microwave dish 32 which can be used toprovide other types of wireless connectivity, besides cellular service.There may be other embodiments where the cell tower 12 is omitted andreplaced with other types of elevated structures such as roofs, watertanks, etc.

§ 1.1 FAA Regulations

The FAA is overwhelmed with applications from companies interested inflying drones, but the FAA is intent on keeping the skies safe.Currently, approved exemptions for flying drones include tight rules.Once approved, there is some level of certification for drone operatorsalong with specific rules such as speed limit of 100 mph, heightlimitations such as 400 ft, no-fly zones, only day operation,documentation, and restrictions on aerial filming. It is expected thatthese regulations will loosen as UAV deployments evolve. However, it isexpected that the UAV regulations will require flight which wouldaccommodate wireless connectivity to cell towers 12, e.g., less than afew hundred feet.

§ 2.0 Example Hardware

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example UAV 50 for use with thesystems and methods described herein. Again, the UAV 50 may be referredto as a drone or the like. The UAV 50 may be a commercially availableUAV platform that has been modified to carry specific electroniccomponents as described herein to implement the various systems andmethods. The UAV 50 includes rotors 58 attached to a body 52. A lowerframe 54 is located on a bottom portion of the body 52, for landing theUAV 50 to rest on a flat surface and absorb impact during landing. TheUAV 50 also includes sensors 56, such as a camera, which are used totake still photographs, video, and the like. Specifically, the sensors56 are used to provide the real-time display and other information onthe screen 62. The UAV 50 includes various electronic components insidethe body 52 and/or the camera 56 such as, without limitation, aprocessor, a data store, memory, a wireless interface, and the like.Also, the UAV 50 can include additional hardware, such as robotic armsor the like that allow the UAV 50 to attach/detach components for thecell site components 14. Specifically, it is expected that the UAV 50will get bigger and more advanced, capable of carrying significantloads, and not just a wireless camera.

These various components are now described with reference to a mobiledevice 100 or a processing device 100. Those of ordinary skill in theart will recognize the UAV 50 can include similar components to themobile device 100. In an embodiment, the UAV 50 can include one or moremobile devices 100 embedded therein, such as for different networks(i.e., wireless networks, satellite networks, NAS networks, etc.). Inanother embodiment, the UAV 50 can include hardware which emulates themobile device 100 including support for multiple different networks. Forexample, the hardware can include multiple different antennas and uniqueidentifier configurations (e.g., Subscriber Identification Module (SIM)cards). For example, the UAV 50 can include circuitry to communicatewith one or more networks with an associated unique identifier, e.g.,serial number.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of mobile device 100 hardware, which may beembedded or associated with the UAV 50. The mobile device 100 can be adigital device that, in terms of hardware architecture, generallyincludes a processor 102, input/output (I/O) interfaces 104, wirelessinterfaces 106, a data store 108, and memory 110. It should beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that FIG. 3 depictsthe mobile device 100 in an oversimplified manner, and a practicalembodiment may include additional components and suitably configuredprocessing logic to support known or conventional operating featuresthat are not described in detail herein. The components (102, 104, 106,108, and 102) are communicatively coupled via a local interface 112. Thelocal interface 112 can be, for example, but not limited to, one or morebuses or other wired or wireless connections, as is known in the art.The local interface 112 can have additional elements, which are omittedfor simplicity, such as controllers, buffers (caches), drivers,repeaters, and receivers, among many others, to enable communications.Further, the local interface 112 may include address, control, and/ordata connections to enable appropriate communications among theaforementioned components.

The processor 102 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processor 102 can be any custom made or commerciallyavailable processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliaryprocessor among several processors associated with the mobile device100, a semiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip orchip set), or generally any device for executing software instructions.When the mobile device 100 is in operation, the processor 102 isconfigured to execute software stored within the memory 110, tocommunicate data to and from the memory 110, and to generally controloperations of the mobile device 100 pursuant to the softwareinstructions. In an embodiment, the processor 102 may include amobile-optimized processor such as optimized for power consumption andmobile applications. The I/O interfaces 104 can be used to receive userinput from and/or for providing system output. User input can beprovided via, for example, a keypad, a touch screen, a scroll ball, ascroll bar, buttons, barcode scanner, and the like. System output can beprovided via a display device such as a liquid crystal display (LCD),touch screen, and the like. The I/O interfaces 104 can also include, forexample, a serial port, a parallel port, a small computer systeminterface (SCSI), an infrared (IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF)interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, and the like. The I/Ointerfaces 104 can include a graphical user interface (GUI) that enablesa user to interact with the mobile device 100. Additionally, the I/Ointerfaces 104 may further include an imaging device, i.e., camera,video camera, etc.

The wireless interfaces 106 enable wireless communication to an externalaccess device or network. Any number of suitable wireless datacommunication protocols, techniques, or methodologies can be supportedby the wireless interfaces 106, including, without limitation: RF; IrDA(infrared); Bluetooth; ZigBee (and other variants of the IEEE 802.15protocol); IEEE 802.11 (any variation); IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX or any othervariation); Direct Sequence Spread Spectrum; Frequency Hopping SpreadSpectrum; Long Term Evolution (LTE); cellular/wireless/cordlesstelecommunication protocols (e.g. 3G/4G, etc.); wireless home networkcommunication protocols; paging network protocols; magnetic induction;satellite data communication protocols; wireless hospital or health carefacility network protocols such as those operating in the WMTS bands;GPRS; proprietary wireless data communication protocols such as variantsof Wireless USB; and any other protocols for wireless communication. Thewireless interfaces 106 can be used to communicate with the UAV 50 forcommand and control as well as to relay data. Again, the wirelessinterfaces 106 can be configured to communicate on a specific network oron a plurality of networks. The wireless interfaces 106 includehardware, wireless antennas, etc. enabling the UAV 50 to communicateconcurrently with a plurality of wireless networks, such as satellitenetworks, cellular networks, GPS, GLONASS, WLAN, WiMAX, or the like.

The data store 108 may be used to store data. The data store 108 mayinclude any of volatile memory elements (e.g., random access memory(RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and the like)), nonvolatile memoryelements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, and the like), andcombinations thereof. Moreover, the data store 108 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Thememory 110 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)), nonvolatilememory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, etc.), and combinations thereof.Moreover, the memory 110 may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical,and/or other types of storage media. Note that the memory 110 may have adistributed architecture, where various components are situated remotelyfrom one another but can be accessed by the processor 102. The softwarein memory 110 can include one or more software programs, each of whichincludes an ordered listing of executable instructions for implementinglogical functions. In the example of FIG. 3 , the software in the memory110 includes a suitable operating system (O/S) 114 and programs 116. Theoperating system 114 essentially controls the execution of othercomputer programs and provides scheduling, input-output control, fileand data management, memory management, and communication control andrelated services. The programs 116 may include various applications,add-ons, etc. configured to provide end-user functionality with themobile device 100, including performing various aspects of the systemsand methods described herein.

It will be appreciated that some embodiments described herein mayinclude one or more generic or specialized processors (“one or moreprocessors”) such as microprocessors; Central Processing Units (CPUs);Digital Signal Processors (DSPs): customized processors such as NetworkProcessors (NPs) or Network Processing Units (NPUs), Graphics ProcessingUnits (GPUs), or the like; Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs); andthe like along with unique stored program instructions (including bothsoftware and firmware) for control thereof to implement, in conjunctionwith certain non-processor circuits, some, most, or all of the functionsof the methods and/or systems described herein. Alternatively, some orall functions may be implemented by a state machine that has no storedprogram instructions, or in one or more Application Specific IntegratedCircuits (ASICs), in which each function or some combinations of certainof the functions are implemented as custom logic or circuitry. Ofcourse, a combination of the aforementioned approaches may be used. Forsome of the embodiments described herein, a corresponding device inhardware and optionally with software, firmware, and a combinationthereof can be referred to as “circuitry configured or adapted to,”“logic configured or adapted to,” etc. perform a set of operations,steps, methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. ondigital and/or analog signals as described herein for the variousembodiments.

Moreover, some embodiments may include a non-transitorycomputer-readable storage medium having computer readable code storedthereon for programming a computer, server, appliance, device,processor, circuit, etc. each of which may include a processor toperform functions as described and claimed herein. Examples of suchcomputer-readable storage mediums include, but are not limited to, ahard disk, an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, a ROM(Read Only Memory), a PROM (Programmable Read Only Memory), an EPROM(Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory), an EEPROM (ElectricallyErasable Programmable Read Only Memory), Flash memory, and the like.When stored in the non-transitory computer-readable medium, software caninclude instructions executable by a processor or device (e.g., any typeof programmable circuitry or logic) that, in response to such execution,cause a processor or the device to perform a set of operations, steps,methods, processes, algorithms, functions, techniques, etc. as describedherein for the various embodiments.

§ 3.0 Example Server

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a server 200 which may be used for airtraffic control of the UAVs 50. The server 200 may be a digital computerthat, in terms of hardware architecture, generally includes a processor202, input/output (I/O) interfaces 204, a network interface 206, a datastore 208, and memory 210. It should be appreciated by those of ordinaryskill in the art that FIG. 4 depicts the server 200 in an oversimplifiedmanner, and a practical embodiment may include additional components andsuitably configured processing logic to support known or conventionaloperating features that are not described in detail herein. Thecomponents (202, 204, 206, 208, and 210) are communicatively coupled viaa local interface 212. The local interface 212 may be, for example, butnot limited to, one or more buses or other wired or wirelessconnections, as is known in the art. The local interface 212 may haveadditional elements, which are omitted for simplicity, such ascontrollers, buffers (caches), drivers, repeaters, and receivers, amongmany others, to enable communications. Further, the local interface 212may include address, control, and/or data connections to enableappropriate communications among the aforementioned components.

The processor 202 is a hardware device for executing softwareinstructions. The processor 202 may be any custom made or commerciallyavailable processor, a central processing unit (CPU), an auxiliaryprocessor among several processors associated with the server 200, asemiconductor-based microprocessor (in the form of a microchip or chipset), or generally any device for executing software instructions. Whenthe server 200 is in operation, the processor 202 is configured toexecute software stored within the memory 210, to communicate data toand from the memory 210, and to generally control operations of theserver 200 pursuant to the software instructions. The I/O interfaces 204may be used to receive user input from and/or for providing systemoutput to one or more devices or components. User input may be providedvia, for example, a keyboard, touchpad, and/or a mouse. System outputmay be provided via a display device and a printer (not shown). I/Ointerfaces 204 may include, for example, a serial port, a parallel port,a small computer system interface (SCSI), a serial ATA (SATA), a fibrechannel, Infiniband, iSCSI, a PCI Express interface (PCI-x), an infrared(IR) interface, a radio frequency (RF) interface, and/or a universalserial bus (USB) interface.

The network interface 306 may be used to enable the server 200 tocommunicate over a network, such as to a plurality of UAVs 50 over asatellite network or the like. The network interface 206 may include,for example, an Ethernet card or adapter (e.g., 10BaseT, Fast Ethernet,Gigabit Ethernet, 10 GbE) or a wireless local area network (WLAN) cardor adapter (e.g., 802.11a/b/g/n). The network interface 206 may includeaddress, control, and/or data connections to enable appropriatecommunications on the network. A data store 208 may be used to storedata. The data store 208 may include any of volatile memory elements(e.g., random access memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, and thelike)), nonvolatile memory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM,and the like), and combinations thereof. Moreover, the data store 208may incorporate electronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types ofstorage media. In one example, the data store 208 may be locatedinternal to the server 200 such as, for example, an internal hard driveconnected to the local interface 212 in the server 200. Additionally, inanother embodiment, the data store 208 may be located external to theserver 200 such as, for example, an external hard drive connected to theI/O interfaces 204 (e.g., SCSI or USB connection). In a furtherembodiment, the data store 208 may be connected to the server 200through a network, such as, for example, a network attached file server.

The memory 210 may include any of volatile memory elements (e.g., randomaccess memory (RAM, such as DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, etc.)), nonvolatilememory elements (e.g., ROM, hard drive, tape, CDROM, etc.), andcombinations thereof. Moreover, the memory 210 may incorporateelectronic, magnetic, optical, and/or other types of storage media. Notethat the memory 210 may have a distributed architecture, where variouscomponents are situated remotely from one another but can be accessed bythe processor 202. The software in memory 210 may include one or moresoftware programs, each of which includes an ordered listing ofexecutable instructions for implementing logical functions. The softwarein the memory 210 includes a suitable operating system (O/S) 214 and oneor more programs 216. The operating system 214 essentially controls theexecution of other computer programs, such as the one or more programs216, and provides scheduling, input-output control, file and datamanagement, memory management, and communication control and relatedservices. The one or more programs 216 may be configured to implementthe various processes, algorithms, methods, techniques, etc. describedherein.

§ 4.0 UAV Air Traffic Control System

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of functional components of a UAV air trafficcontrol system 300. The UAV air traffic control system 300 includes anetwork 302 and optionally other wireless networks 304 communicativelycoupled to one or more servers 200 and to a plurality of UAVs 50. Thenetwork 302 can be any of a cell network, satellite network, otherwireless network, and the like. A cell network can actually include aplurality of different provider networks, such as AT&T, Verizon, Sprint,etc. The network 302 can be formed in part with a plurality of celltowers 12, geographically dispersed and covering the vast majority ofthe United States. The cell towers 12 are configured to backhaulcommunications from subscribers. In the UAV air traffic control system300, the subscribers are the UAVs 50 (in addition to conventional mobiledevices), and the communications are between the UAVs 50 and the servers200. The other wireless networks 304 can include, for example, the NASnetwork, GPS and/or GLONASS, WLAN networks, private wireless networks,or any other wireless networks.

The servers 200 are configured to provide air traffic control and can bedeployed in a control center, at a customer premises, in the cloud, orthe like. Generally, the servers 200 are configured to receivecommunications from the UAVs 50 such as for continuous monitoring and ofrelevant details of each UAV 50 such as location, altitude, speed,direction, function, etc. The servers 200 are further configured totransmit communications to the UAVs 50 such as for control based on thedetails, such as to prevent collisions, to enforce policies, to providenavigational control, to actually fly the UAVs 50, to land the UAVs 50,and the like. That is, generally, communications from the UAV 50 to theserver 200 are for detailed monitoring and communications to the UAV 50from the server 200 are for control thereof.

§ 4.1 Data Management

Each UAV 50 is configured with a unique identifier, such as a SIM cardor the like. Similar to standard mobile devices 100, each UAV 50 isconfigured to maintain an association with a plurality of cell towers 12or satellites based on a current geographic location. Usingtriangulation or other location identification techniques (GPS, GLONASS,etc.), the location, altitude, speed, and direction of each UAV 50 canbe continuously monitored and reported back to the servers 200. Theservers 200 can implement techniques to manage this data in real-time inan automated fashion to track and control all UAVs 50 in a geographicregion. For example, the servers 200 can manage and store the data inthe data store 208.

§ 4.2 Air Traffic Control Functions

The servers 200 are configured to perform air traffic controlfunctionality of the UAV air traffic control system 300. Specifically,the servers 200 are configured to perform separation assurance,navigation, traffic management, landing, and general control of the UAVs50. The separation assurance includes tracking all of the UAVs 50 inflight, based on the monitored data, to ensure adequate separation. Thenavigation includes maintaining defined airways. The traffic managementincludes comparing flights plan of UAVs 50 to avoid conflicts and toensure the smooth and efficient flow of UAVs 50 in flight. The landingincludes assisting and control of UAVs 50 at the end of their flight.The general control includes providing real-time data including videoand other monitored data and allowing control of the UAV 50 in flight.The general control can also include automated flight of the UAVs 50through the UAV air traffic control system 300, such as for autonomousUAVs. Generally, the UAV air traffic control system 300 can includerouting and algorithms for autonomous operation of the UAVs 50 based oninitial flight parameters. The UAV air traffic control system 300 cancontrol speed, flight path, and altitude for a vast number of UAVs 50simultaneously.

§ 5.0 UAV Flight Plans

FIG. 6 is a network diagram of various cell sites 10 a-10 e deployed ina geographic region 400. In an embodiment, the UAV 50 is configured tofly a flight plan 402 in the geographic region 400 while maintainingassociations with multiple cell sites 10 a-10 e during the flight plan402. In an embodiment, the UAV 50 is constrained only to fly in thegeographic region 400 where it has cell coverage. This constraint can bepreprogrammed based on predetermining cell coverage. Alternatively, theconstraint can be dynamically managed by the UAV 50 based on monitoringits cell signal level in the mobile device 100 hardware. Here, the UAV50 will alter its path whenever it loses or detects signal degradationto ensure it is always active on the network 302. During the flight plan402, the cell sites 10 a-10 e are configured to report monitored data tothe servers 200 periodically to enable real-time air traffic control.Thus, the communication between the UAVs 50 is bidirectional with theservers 200, through the associated cell sites 10.

In an embodiment, the UAV 50 maintains an association with at leastthree of the cell sites 10 which perform triangulation to determine thelocation of the UAV 50. In addition to the cell sites 10 on the network302, the UAV 50 can also communicate to the other wireless networks 304.In an embodiment, the UAV 50 can maintain its GPS and/or GLONASSlocation and report that over the network 302. In another embodiment,the other wireless networks 304 can include satellite networks or thelike.

§ 5.1 Triangulation

FIG. 7 is a map of three cell towers 12 and associated coverage areas410, 412, 414 for describing location determination of the UAV 50.Typically, for a cell site 10, in rural locations, the coverage areas410, 412, 414 can be about 5 miles in radius whereas, in urbanlocations, the coverage areas 410, 412, 414 can be about 0.5 to 2 milesin radius. One aspect of the UAV air traffic control system 300 is tomaintain a precise location at all time of the UAVs 50. This can beaccomplished in a plurality of ways, including a combination. The UAVair traffic control system 300 can use triangulation based on themultiple cell towers 12, location identifiers from GPS/GLONASStransmitted over the cell network 402 by the UAVs 50, sensors in the UAV50 for determining altitude, speed, etc., and the like. It will beappreciated that the triangulation techniques disclosed herein can beperformed by satellites of a satellite network, and the triangulation byutilizing cell towers shall be construed as a non-limiting example.

§ 6.0 UAV Air Traffic Control Method Utilizing Wireless Networks

FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control method 450 utilizingwireless networks. The UAV air traffic control method 450 includescommunicating with a plurality of UAVs via a plurality of cell towersassociated with the wireless networks, wherein the plurality of UAVseach include hardware and antennas adapted to communicate to theplurality of cell towers, and wherein each of the plurality of UAVsinclude a unique identifier (step 452); maintaining data associated withflight of each of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating (step454); and processing the maintained data to perform a plurality offunctions associated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs(step 456). The UAV-based method 450 can further include transmittingdata based on the processing to one or more of the plurality of UAVs toperform the plurality of functions (step 458). The plurality of UAVs canbe configured to constrain flight based on coverage of the plurality ofcell towers. The constrained flight can include one or more ofpre-configuring the plurality of UAVs to operate only where the coverageexists, monitoring cell signal strength by the plurality of UAVs andadjusting flight based therein, and a combination thereof.

The maintaining data can include the plurality of UAVs and/or theplurality of cell towers providing location, speed, direction, andaltitude. The location can be determined based on a combination oftriangulation by the plurality of cell towers and a determination by theUAV based on a location identification network. The plurality offunction can include one or more of separation assurance between UAVs;navigation assistance; weather and obstacle reporting; monitoring ofspeed, altitude, location, and direction; traffic management; landingservices; and real-time control. One or more of the plurality of UAVscan be configured for autonomous operation through the air trafficcontrol. The plurality of UAVs can be configured with mobile devicehardware configured to operate on a plurality of different cellularnetworks.

The method 450 can further be configured to utilize satellite networks.The UAV air traffic control method 450 can include communicating with aplurality of UAVs via a plurality of satellites associated with thesatellite networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardwareand antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of satellites. Theplurality of UAVs can be configured to constrain flight based oncoverage of the plurality of satellites. The constrained flight canagain include one or more of pre-configuring the plurality of UAVs tooperate only where the coverage exists, monitoring satellite signalstrength by the plurality of UAVs and adjusting flight based therein,and a combination thereof.

Additionally, the maintaining data can include the plurality of UAVsand/or the plurality of satellites providing location, speed, direction,and altitude. The plurality of function can again include one or more ofseparation assurance between UAVs; navigation assistance; weather andobstacle reporting; monitoring of speed, altitude, location, anddirection; traffic management; landing services; and real-time control.One or more of the plurality of UAVs can be configured for autonomousoperation through the air traffic control. The plurality of UAVs can beconfigured with mobile device hardware configured to operate on aplurality of different satellite networks.

§ 7.0 UAV Air Traffic Control Method Concurrently Utilizing a Pluralityof Wireless Networks

FIG. 9 is a flowchart of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air trafficcontrol method 500 implemented in the UAV 50 during a flight, forconcurrently utilizing a plurality of networks for air traffic control.The UAV air traffic control method 500 includes maintainingcommunication with a first wireless network and a second wirelessnetwork of the plurality of wireless networks (step 502); communicatingfirst data with the first wireless network and second data with thesecond wireless network throughout the flight, wherein one or more ofthe first data and the second data is provided to an air traffic controlsystem configured to maintain status of a plurality of UAVs in flightand perform control thereof (step 504); and adjusting the flight basedon one or more of the first data and the second data and control fromthe air traffic control system (step 506). The first wireless networkcan provide bi-directional communication between the UAV and the airtraffic control system and the second wireless network can supportunidirectional communication to the UAV for status indications. Thefirst wireless network can include one or more cellular networks and thesecond wireless network can include a location identification network.The first wireless network can include one or more satellite networksand the second wireless network can include one or more cellularnetworks and vice versa. Both the first wireless network and the secondwireless network can provide bi-directional communication between theUAV and the air traffic control system for redundancy with one of thefirst wireless network and the second wireless network operating asprimary and another as a backup. The first wireless network can providebi-directional communication between the UAV and the air traffic controlsystem and the second wireless network can support unidirectionalcommunication from the UAV for status indications.

The UAV air traffic control method can further include constraining theflight based on coverage of one or more of the first wireless networkand the second wireless network (step 508). The constrained flight caninclude one or more of pre-configuring the UAV to operate only where thecoverage exists, monitoring cell signal strength by the UAV andadjusting flight based therein, and a combination thereof. The firstdata can include location, speed, direction, and altitude for reportingto the air traffic control system. The control from the air trafficcontrol system can include a plurality of functions comprising one ormore of separation assurance between UAVs; navigation assistance;weather and obstacle reporting; monitoring of speed, altitude, location,and direction; traffic management; landing services; and real-timecontrol. The UAV can be configured for autonomous operation through theair traffic control system.

In another embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) adapted for airtraffic control via an air traffic control system and via communicationto a plurality of wireless networks includes one or more rotors disposedto a body; wireless interfaces including hardware and antennas adaptedto communicate with a first wireless network and a second wirelessnetwork of the plurality of wireless networks, and wherein the UAVcomprises a unique identifier; a processor coupled to the wirelessinterfaces and the one or more rotors; and memory storing instructionsthat, when executed, cause the processor to: maintain communication withthe first wireless network and the second wireless network via thewireless interfaces; communicate first data with the first wirelessnetwork and second data with the second wireless network throughout theflight, wherein one or more of the first data and the second data isprovided to an air traffic control system configured to maintain statusof a plurality of UAVs in flight and perform control thereof; and adjustthe flight based on one or more of the first data and the second dataand control from the air traffic control system. The first wirelessnetwork can provide bi-directional communication between the UAV and theair traffic control system and the second wireless network can supportunidirectional communication to the UAV for status indications. Thefirst wireless network can include one or more cellular networks and thesecond wireless network can include a location identification network.Both the first wireless network and the second wireless network canprovide bi-directional communication between the UAV and the air trafficcontrol system for redundancy with one of the first wireless network andthe second wireless network operating as primary and another as abackup. It will be appreciated that the first and second wirelessnetworks contemplated herein can be one or more of a satellite network,cellular network, or any network of the like.

§ 8.0 Package Delivery Authorization and Management

FIG. 10 is a flowchart of a package delivery authorization andmanagement method 600 utilizing the UAV air traffic control system 300.The method 600 includes communicating with a plurality of UAVs via aplurality of networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each comprisehardware and antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality ofnetworks, such as communicating to a plurality of cell towers and/orsatellites (step 602); maintaining data associated with flight of eachof the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating (step 604);processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of functionsassociated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs (step 606);and processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of functionsfor the delivery application authorization and management for each ofthe plurality of UAVs (step 608). The maintained data can includelocation information received and updated periodically from each of theplurality of UAV s, and wherein the location information is correlatedto coordinates and altitude. The location information can be determinedbased on a combination of triangulation by the plurality of cell towersand a determination by the UAV based on a location identificationnetwork. The processing for the delivery application authorization andmanagement can include checking the coordinates and the altitude basedon a flight plan, for each of the plurality of UAVs. The checking thecoordinates and the altitude can further include assuring each of theplurality of UAVs is in a specified flying lane.

The maintained data can include current battery and/or fuel status foreach of the plurality of UAVs, and wherein the processing for thedelivery application authorization and management can include checkingthe current battery and/or fuel status to ensure sufficiency to providea current delivery, for each of the plurality of UAVs. The maintaineddata can include photographs and/or video of a delivery location, andwherein the processing for the delivery application authorization andmanagement can include checking the delivery location is clear forlanding and/or dropping a package, for each of the plurality of UAVs.The maintained data can include photographs and/or video of a deliverylocation, and wherein the processing for the delivery applicationauthorization and management includes, for each of the plurality ofUAVs, checking the delivery location for a delivery technique includingone of landing, dropping via a tether, dropping to a doorstep, droppingto a mailbox, dropping to a porch, and dropping to a garage. Theplurality of UAVs can be configured to constrain flight based oncoverage of the plurality of cell towers and/or satellites. Theconstrained flight can include one or more of pre-configuring theplurality of UAVs to operate only where the coverage exists, monitoringsignal strength by the plurality of UAVs and adjusting flight basedtherein, and a combination thereof.

§ 8.1 Package Delivery Authorization and Management Via the Air TrafficControl System

In another embodiment, the air traffic control system 300 utilizingwireless networks and concurrently supporting delivery applicationauthorization and management includes the processor and the networkinterface communicatively coupled to one another; and the memory storinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: communicate,via the network interface, with a plurality of UAVs via a plurality ofcell towers and/or satellites associated with the wireless networks,wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardware and antennas adaptedto communicate to the plurality of cell towers and/or satellites;maintain data associated with flight of each of the plurality of UAVsbased on the communicating; process the maintained data to perform aplurality of functions associated with air traffic control of theplurality of UAVs; and process the maintained data to perform aplurality of functions for the delivery application authorization andmanagement for each of the plurality of UAVs.

§ 8.2 Landing Authorization and Management

In another aspect, the air traffic control system 300 can be configuredto provide landing authorization and management in addition to theaforementioned air traffic control functions and package deliveryauthorization and management. The landing authorization and managementcan be at the home base of the UAV, at a delivery location, and/or at apickup location. The air traffic control system 300 can control andapprove the landing. For example, the air traffic control system 300 canreceive photographs and/or video from the UAV 50 of the location (homebase, delivery location, pickup location). The air traffic controlsystem 300 can make a determination based on the photographs and/orvideo, as well as other parameters such as wind speed, temperature, etc.to approve the landing.

§ 9.0 Separation Assurance Via the Air Traffic Control System

In another aspect, the air traffic control system 300 can be used to forseparation assurance through altitude and flying lane coordination inaddition to the aforementioned air traffic control functions, packagedelivery authorization and management, landing authorization andmanagement, etc. As the air traffic control system 300 has monitoreddata from various UAVs 50, the air traffic control system 300 can keeptrack of specific flight plans as well as cause changes in real time toensure specific altitude and vector headings, i.e., a flight lane. Forexample, the air traffic control system 300 can include a specificgeography of interest, and there can be adjacent air traffic controlsystems 300 that communicate to one another and share some overlap inthe geography for handoffs. The air traffic control systems 300 can makeassumptions on future flight behavior based on the current data and thendirect UAVs 50 based thereon. The air traffic control system 300 canalso communicate with commercial aviation air traffic control systemsfor limited data exchange to ensure the UAVs 50 does not interfere withcommercial aircraft or fly in no-fly zones.

§ 10.0 Flying Lane Management

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a flight path of an associated flying lane 700of a UAV 50 from takeoff to landing. The flying lane 700 covers allflight phases which include preflight, takeoff, en route, descent, andlanding. Again, the flying lane 700 includes coordinates (e.g., GPS,etc.), altitude, speed, and heading at a specified time. As describedherein, the UAV 50 is configured to communicate to the air trafficcontrol system 300, during all of the flight phases, such as via thenetworks 302, 304. The air traffic control system 300 is configured tomonitor and manage/control the flying lane 700 as described herein. Theobjective of this management is to avoid collisions, avoid obstructions,avoid flight in restricted areas or areas with no network 302, 304coverage, etc.

During preflight, the UAV 50 is configured to communicate with the airtraffic control system 300 for approvals (e.g., flight plan,destination, the flying lane 700, etc.) and notification thereof, forverification (e.g., weather, delivery authorization, etc.), and thelike. The key aspect of the communication during the preflight is forthe air traffic control system 300 to become aware of the flying lane700, to ensure it is open, and to approve the UAV 50 for takeoff. Otheraspects of the preflight can include the air traffic control system 300coordinating the delivery, coordinating with other systems, etc. Basedon the communication from the UAV 50 (as well as an operator, scheduler,etc.), the air traffic control system 300 can perform processing to makesure the flying lane 700 is available and if not, to adjust accordingly.

During takeoff, the UAV 50 is configured to communicate with the airtraffic control system 300 for providing feedback from the UAV 50 to theair traffic control system 300. Here, the air traffic control system 300can store and process the feedback to keep up to date with the currentsituation in airspace under control, for planning other flying lanes700, etc. The feedback can include speed, altitude, heading, etc. aswell as other pertinent data such as location (e.g., GPS, etc.),temperature, humidity, the wind, and any detected obstructions duringtakeoff. The detected obstructions can be managed by the air trafficcontrol system 300 as described herein, i.e., temporary obstructions,permanent obstructions, etc.

Once airborne, the UAV is en route to the destination and the airtraffic control system 300 is configured to communicate with the airtraffic control system 300 for providing feedback from the UAV 50 to theair traffic control system 300. Similar to takeoff, the communicationcan include the same feedback. Also, the communication can include anupdate to the flying lane 700 based on current conditions, changes, etc.A key aspect is the UAV 50 is continually in data communication with theair traffic control system 300 via the networks 302, 304.

As the destination is approached, the air traffic control system 300 canauthorize/instruct the UAV 50 to begin the descent. Alternatively, theair traffic control system 300 can pre-authorize based on reaching a setpoint. Similar to takeoff and en route, the communication in the descentcan include the same feedback. The feedback can also include informationabout the landing spot as well as processing by the air traffic controlsystem 300 to change any aspects of the landing based on the feedback.Note, the landing can include a physical landing or hovering andreleasing cargo.

In various embodiments, the air traffic control system 300 is expectedto operate autonomously or semi-autonomously, i.e., there is not a livehuman operator monitoring each UAV 50 flight. This is an importantdistinction between conventional air traffic control for aircraft andthe air traffic control system 300 for UAVs 50. Specifically, it wouldnot be feasible to manage UAVs 50 with live operators. Accordingly, theair traffic control system 300 is configured to communicate and manageduring all flight phases with a large quantity of UAVs 50 concurrentlyin an automated manner.

In an embodiment, the objective of the flying lane management throughthe air traffic control system 300 is to manage deliveries efficientlywhile secondarily to ensure collision avoidance. Again, this aspect isdifferent from conventional air traffic control which focuses first andforemost of collision avoidance. This is not to say that collisionavoidance is minimized, but rather it is less important since the UAVs50 can themselves maintain a buffer from one another based on thein-flight detection. To achieve the management, the air traffic controlsystem 300 can implement various routing techniques to allows the UAVs50 to use associated flying lanes 700 to arrive and deliver packages.Thus, one aspect of flying lane management, especially for deliveryapplications, is efficiency since efficient routing can save time, fuel,etc. which is key for deliveries.

FIG. 12 is a diagram of obstruction detection by the UAV 50 andassociated changes to the flying lane 700. One aspect of flying lanemanagement is detected obstruction management. Here, the UAV 50 hastaken off, have the flying lane 700, and is in communication with theair traffic control system 300. During the flight, either the UAV 50detects an obstacle 710 or the air traffic control system 300 isnotified from another source of the obstacle 710 and alerts the UAV 50.Again, the UAVs 50 are flying at lower altitudes, and the obstacle 710can be virtually anything that is temporary such as a crane, a vehicle,etc. or that is permanent such as a building, tree, etc. The UAV 50 isconfigured, with assistance and control from the air traffic controlsystem 300 to adjust the flying lane 700 to overcome the obstacle 710 aswell as add a buffer amount, such as 35 feet or any other amount forsafety.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart of a flying lane management method 750 via an airtraffic control system communicatively coupled to a UAV via one or morewireless networks. In an embodiment, the flying lane management method750 includes initiating communication to the one or more UAVs at apreflight stage for each, wherein the communication is via one or morecell towers and/or satellites associated with the one or more wirelessnetworks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardware andantennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of cell towers and/orsatellites (step 752); determining a flying lane for the one or moreUAVs based on a destination, current air traffic in a region undermanagement of the air traffic control system, and based on detectedobstructions in the region (step 754); and providing the flying lane tothe one or more UAVs are an approval to take off and fly along theflying lane (step 756). The flying lane management method 750 canfurther include continuing the communication during flight on the flyinglane and receiving data from the one or more UAVs, wherein the dataincludes feedback during the flight (step 758); and utilizing thefeedback to update the flying lane, to update other flying lanes, and tomanage air traffic in the region (step 760). During the flight, thefeedback includes speed, altitude, and heading, and the feedback canfurther include one or more of temperature, humidity, wind, and detectedobstructions.

The flying lane management method 750 can further include providingupdates to the flying lane based on the feedback and based on feedbackfrom other devices. The flying lane management method 750 can furtherinclude, based on the feedback, determining the one or more UAVs atready to descend or fly to the destination and providing authorizationto the one or more UAVs for a descent. The flying lane management method750 can further include, based on the feedback, detecting a newobstruction; and one of updating the flying lane based on adjustmentsmade by the one or more UAVs due to the new obstruction and providing anupdated flying lane due to the new obstruction. The adjustments and/orthe updated flying lane can include a buffer distance from the newobstruction. The new obstruction can be detected by the one or more UAVsbased on hardware thereon and communicated to the air traffic controlsystem. The air traffic control system can be adapted to operateautonomously.

In another embodiment, an air traffic control system communicativelycoupled to one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) via one or morewireless networks adapted to perform flying lane management includes anetwork interface and one or more processors communicatively coupled toone another; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, causethe one or more processors to: initiate communication to the one or moreUAVs at a preflight stage for each, wherein the communication is via oneor more cell towers and/or satellites associated with the one or morewireless networks, wherein the plurality of UAVs each include hardwareand antennas adapted to communicate to the plurality of cell towersand/or satellites; determine a flying lane for the one or more UAVsbased on a destination, current air traffic in a region under managementof the air traffic control system, and based on detected obstructions inthe region; and provide the flying lane to the one or more UAVs are anapproval to take off and fly along the flying lane. The instructions,when executed, can further cause the one or more processors to: continuethe communication during flight on the flying lane and receiving datafrom the one or more UAVs, wherein the data include feedback during theflight; and utilize the feedback to update the flying lane, to updateother flying lanes, and to manage air traffic in the region.

During the flight, the feedback includes speed, altitude, and heading,and the feedback can further include one or more of temperature,humidity, wind, and detected obstructions. The instructions, whenexecuted, can further cause the one or more processors to: provideupdates to the flying lane based on the feedback and based on feedbackfrom other devices. The instructions, when executed, can further causethe one or more processors to based on the feedback, determine the oneor more UAVs at ready to descend or fly to the destination and providingauthorization to the one or more UAVs for a descent. The instructions,when executed, can further cause the one or more processors to based onthe feedback, detect a new obstruction; and one of update the flyinglane based on adjustments made by the one or more UAVs due to the newobstruction and provide an updated flying lane due to the newobstruction. The adjustments and/or the updated flying lane can includea buffer distance from the new obstruction. The new obstruction can bedetected by the one or more UAVs based on hardware thereon andcommunicated to the air traffic control system. The air traffic controlsystem can be adapted to operate autonomously.

§ 11.0 Air Traffic Control Monitoring Systems and Methods

FIG. 14 is a block diagram of functional components of a consolidatedUAV air traffic control monitoring system 300A. The monitoring system300A is similar to the UAV air traffic control system 300 describedherein. Specifically, the monitoring system 300A includes the network302 (or multiple networks 302) as well as the other wireless networks304. The one or more servers 200 are communicatively coupled to thenetworks 302, 304 in a similar manner as in the UAV air traffic controlsystem 300 as well as the UAVs 50 communication with the servers 200.Additionally, the monitoring system 300A includes one or moreconsolidated servers 200A which are communicatively coupled to theservers 200.

The consolidated servers 200A are configured to obtain a consolidatedview of all of the UAVs 50. Specifically, the UAVs 50 are geographicallydistributed as are the networks 302, 304. The servers 200 providegeographic or zone coverage. For example, the servers 200 may besegmented along geographic boundaries, such as different cities, states,etc. The consolidated servers 200A are configured to provide a view ofall of the servers 200 and their associated geographic or zone coverage.Specifically, the consolidated servers 200A can be located in a nationalAir Traffic Control center. From the consolidated servers 200A, any airtraffic control functions can be accomplished for the UAVs 50. Theconsolidated servers 200A can aggregate data on all of the UAVs 50 basedon multiple sources, i.e., the servers 200, and from multiple networks302, 304.

Thus, from the consolidated servers 200A, UAV traffic can be managedfrom a single point. The consolidated servers 200A can perform any ofthe air traffic control functions that the servers 200 can perform. Forexample, the consolidated servers 200A can be used to eliminateaccidents, minimize delay and congestion, etc. The consolidate servers200A can handle connectivity with hundreds or thousands of the servers200 to manage millions or multiple millions of UAVs 50. Additionally,the consolidated servers 200A can provide an efficient Graphical UserInterface (GUI) for air traffic control.

FIG. 15 is a screenshot of a Graphical User Interface (GUI) providing aview of the consolidated UAV air traffic control monitoring system.Specifically, the GUI can be provided by the consolidated servers 200Ato provide visualization, monitoring, and control of the UAVs 50 acrossa wide geography, e.g., state, region, or national. In FIG. 15 , the GUIprovides a map visualization at the national level, consolidating viewsfrom multiple servers 200. Various circles are illustrated with shading,gradients, etc. to convey information such as congestion in a localregion.

A user can drill-down such as by clicking any of the circles orselecting any geographic region to zoom in. The present disclosurecontemplates zooming between the national level down to local or evenstreet levels to view individual UAVs 50. The key aspect of the GUI isthe information display is catered to the level of UAV 50 traffic. Forexample, at the national level, it is not possible to display every UAV50 since there are orders of magnitude more UAVs 50 than airplanes.Thus, at higher geographic levels, the GUI can provide a heat map or thelike to convey levels of UAV 50 congestion. As the user drills-down tolocal geographies, individual UAVs 50 can be displayed.

Using the GUI, the consolidated servers 200A, and the servers 200,various air traffic control functions can be performed. One aspect isthat control can be high-level (coarse) through individual-level (fine)as well as in-between. That is, control can be at a large geographiclevel (e.g., city or state), at a local level (city or smaller), and atan individual UAV 50 level. The high-level control can be performed viasingle commands through the consolidated server 200A that is propagateddown to the servers 200 and to the UAVs 50. Examples of high-levelcontrol include no-fly zones, congestion control, traffic management,holding patterns, and the like. Examples of individual-level controlinclude flight plan management; separation assurance; real-time control;monitoring of speed, altitude, location, and direction; weather andobstacle reporting; landing services; and the like.

In addition to the communication from the consolidated servers 200A tothe UAVs 50, such as through the servers 200, for air traffic controlfunctions, there can be two-way communication as well. In an embodiment,the UAVs 50 are configured to provide a first set of data to the servers200, such as speed, altitude, location, direction, weather and obstaclereporting. The servers 200 are configured to provide a second set ofdata to the consolidated servers 200A, such as a summary or digest ofthe first data. This hierarchical data handling enables the consolidatedservers 200A to handle nationwide control of millions of UAVs 50.

For example, when there is a view at the national level, theconsolidated servers 200A can provide summary information for regions,such as illustrated in FIG. 15 . This is based on the second set of datawhich can provide a summary view of the GUI, such as how many UAVs 50are in a region. When there is a drill-down to a local level, theconsolidated servers 200A can obtain more information from the servers,i.e., the first set of data, allowing the consolidated servers 200A toact in a similar manner as the servers 200 for local control.

FIG. 16 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control and monitor method800. The method 800 includes communicating with a plurality of serverseach configured to communicate with a plurality of UAVs in a geographicor zone coverage (step 802); consolidating data from the plurality ofservers to provide a visualization of a larger geography comprising aplurality of geographic or zone coverages (step 804); providing thevisualization via a Graphical User Interface (GUI) (step 806); andperforming one or more functions via the GUI for air traffic control andmonitoring at any of a high-level and an individual UAV level (step808). The visualization can include a heat map of congestion at thelarger geography and a view of individual UAVs via a drill-down. For theindividual UAV level, the consolidating the data can include obtaining afirst set of data and, for the high-level, the consolidating the datacan include obtaining a second set of data which is a summary or digestof the first set of data. The first set of data can include speed,altitude, location, direction, weather and obstacle reporting fromindividual UAVs.

For the individual UAV level, the air traffic control and monitoring caninclude any of flight plan management; separation assurance; real-timecontrol; monitoring of speed, altitude, location, and direction; weatherand obstacle reporting; landing services, and wherein, for thehigh-level, the air traffic control and monitoring can include any ofno-fly zones, congestion control, traffic management, and hold patterns.The plurality of UAVs can be configured to constrain flight based oncoverage of a plurality of cell towers and/or satellites, wherein theconstrained flight can include one or more of pre-configuring theplurality of UAVs to operate only where the coverage exists, monitoringsignal strength by the plurality of UAVs and adjusting flight basedtherein, and a combination thereof. One or more of the plurality of UAVsare configured for autonomous operation through the air traffic control.The plurality of UAVs each can include circuitry adapted to communicatevia a plurality of networks to the plurality of servers. The pluralityof networks can include a first wireless network and a second wirelessnetwork each provide bi-directional communication between the UAV andthe plurality of servers for redundancy with one of the first wirelessnetwork and the second wireless network operating as primary and anotheras a backup.

In another embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air trafficcontrol and monitoring system includes a network interface and one ormore processors communicatively coupled to one another; and memorystoring instructions that, when executed, cause the one or moreprocessors to: communicate with a plurality of servers each configuredto communicate with a plurality of UAVs in a geographic or zonecoverage; consolidate data from the plurality of servers to provide avisualization of a larger geography comprising a plurality of geographicor zone coverages; provide the visualization via a Graphical UserInterface (GUI); and perform one or more functions via the GUI for airtraffic control and monitoring at any of a high-level and an individualUAV level.

In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable mediumincludes instructions that, when executed, cause one or more processorsto perform steps of: communicating with a plurality of servers eachconfigured to communicate with a plurality of UAVs in a geographic orzone coverage; consolidating data from the plurality of servers toprovide a visualization of a larger geography comprising a plurality ofgeographic or zone coverages; providing the visualization via aGraphical User Interface (GUI); and performing one or more functions viathe GUI for air traffic control and monitoring at any of a high-leveland an individual UAV level.

§ 12.0 Obstruction Detection, Identification, and Management Systems andMethods

FIGS. 17 and 18 are block diagrams of the UAV air traffic control system300 describing functionality associated with obstruction detection,identification, and management with FIG. 17 describing data transferfrom the UAVs 50 to the servers 200 and FIG. 18 describing data transferto the UAVs 50 from the servers 200. As described herein, obstructionsinclude, without limitation, other UAVs 50 based on their flight planand objects at or near the ground at a height above ground of severalhundred feet. Again, the UAVs 50 typically fly at low altitudes such as100′-500′ and obstruction management is important based on this lowlevel of flight.

The obstructions can be stored and managed in an obstruction database(DB) 820 communicatively coupled to the servers 200 and part of the UAVair traffic control system 300. Obstructions can be temporary orpermanent and managed accordingly. Thus, the DB 820 can include an entryfor each obstruction with location (e.g., GPS coordinates), size(height), and permanence. Temporary obstructions can be ones that aretransient in nature, such as a scaffold, construction equipment, otherUAVs 50 in flight, etc. Permanent obstructions can be buildings, powerlines, cell towers, geographic (mountains), etc. For the permanence,each entry in the DB 820 can either be marked as permanent or temporarywith a Time to Remove (TTR). The TTR can be how long the entry remainsin the DB 820. The permanence is determined by the servers 200 asdescribed herein.

The obstruction detection, identification, and management are performedin the context of the UAV air traffic control system 300 describedherein with communication between the UAVs 50 and the servers 200 viathe wireless networks 302, 304. FIGS. 17 and 18 illustrate functionalityin the UAV air traffic control system 300 with FIGS. 17 and 18 separateto show different data flow and processing.

In FIG. 17 , the UAVs 50 communicates to the servers 200 through thewireless networks 302, 304. Again, as described herein, the UAVs 50 haveadvanced data capture capabilities, such as video, photos, locationcoordinates, altitude, speed, wind, temperature, etc. Additionally, someUAVs 50 can be equipped with radar to provide radar data surveyingproximate landscape. Collectively, the data capture is performed by datacapture equipment associated with the UAVs 50.

Through the data capture equipment, the UAVs 50 are adapted to detectpotential obstructions and detect operational data (speed, direction,altitude, heading, location, etc.). Based on one or more connections tothe wireless networks 302, 304, the UAVs 50 are adapted to transfer theoperational data to the servers 200. Note, the UAV 50 can be configuredto do some local processing and transmit summaries of the operationaldata to reduce the transmission load on the wireless networks 302, 304.For example, for speed, heading, etc., the UAVs 50 can transmit deltainformation such that the servers 200 can track the flight plan. Note,the transmission of the operational data is performed throughout theflight such that the servers 200 can manage and control the UAVs 50.

For obstructions, the UAVs 50 can capture identification data, photos,video, etc. In an embodiment, the UAVs 50 are provided advancednotification of obstructions (in FIG. 18 ) and capable of local dataprocessing of the identification data to verify the obstructions. If thelocal data processing determines an obstruction is already known, i.e.,provided in a notification from the servers 200, the UAV 50 does notrequire any further processing or data transfer of the identificationdata, i.e., this obstruction is already detected. On the other hand, ifthe UAV 50 detects a potential obstruction, i.e., one that it has notbeen notified of, based on the local data processing, the UAV 50 canperform data transfer of the identification data to the servers 200.

The servers 200 are configured to manage the obstruction DB 820, namelyto update the entries therein. The servers 200 are configured to receiveoperational data from the UAVs 50 under control for management thereof.Specifically, the servers 200 are configured to manage the flight plansof the UAVs 200, and, in particular with respect to obstructions, foradvanced notification of future obstructions in the flight plan.

The servers 200 are configured to receive the detection of potentialobstructions. The UAVs 200 can either simply notify the servers 200 of apotential obstruction as well as provide the identification data for theservers 200 to perform identification and analysis. Upon receipt of anydata from the UAVs 200 related to obstructions (a mere notification,actual photos, etc.), the servers 200 are configured to correlate thisdata with the DB 820. If the data correlates to an entry that exists inthe DB 820, the servers 200 can update the entry if necessary, e.g.,update any information related to the obstruction such as last seendate.

If the servers 200 detect the potential obstruction does not exist inthe DB 820, the servers 200 are configured to add an entry in the DB820, perform identification if possible from the identification data,and potentially instruct a UAV 50 to identify in the future. Forexample, if the servers 200 can identify the potential obstruction fromthe identification data, the servers 200 can create the DB 820 entry andpopulate it with the identified data. The servers 200 can analyze theidentification data, as well as request human review, using patternrecognition to identify what the obstruction is, what itscharacteristics are (height, size, permanency, etc.).

If the servers 200 do not have enough identification data, the servers200 can instruct the identifying UAV 50 or another UAV 50 in proximityin the future to obtain specific identification data for the purposes ofidentification.

In FIG. 18 , the servers 200 continue to manage the DB 820, both forpopulating/managing entries as well as to provide notifications ofobstructions in the flight plans of each of the UAVs 50. Specifically,the servers 200 are configured to keep track of the flight plans of allof the UAVs 50 under its control. As part of this tracking, the servers200 are configured to correlate the operational data to derive theflight plan and to determine any obstructions from the DB 820 in theflight plan. The servers 200 are configured to provide notificationsand/or instructions to the UAVs 50 based on upcoming obstructions.

Additionally, the servers 200 are configured to provide instructions toUAVs 50 to capture identification data for potential obstructions thatare not yet identified. Specifically, the servers 200 can instruct theUAVs 50 on what exact data to obtain, e.g., pictures, video, etc., andfrom what angle, elevation, direction, location, etc. With theidentification data, the servers 200 can perform various processes topattern match the pictures with known objects for identification. Incase an obstruction is not matched, it can be flagged for human review.Also, the human review can be performed based on successful matches tograde the performance and to improve pattern matching techniquesfurther. Identification of the obstruction is important for permanencydeterminations. For example, a new high-rise building is permanentwhereas a construction crane is temporary.

For the TTR, temporary obstructions are automatically removed in the DB820 based on this entry. In an embodiment, the TTR can be a flag with aspecified time. In another embodiment, the TTR can be a flag whichrequires removal if the next UAV 50 passing near the obstruction failsto detect and report it.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of an obstruction detection and management method900 implemented through the UAV air traffic control system 300 for theUAVs 50. The obstruction detection and management method 900 includesreceiving UAV data from a plurality of UAVs, wherein the UAV datacomprises operational data for the plurality of UAVs and obstructiondata from one or more UAVs (step 902); updating an obstruction databasebased on the obstruction data (step 904); monitoring a flight plan forthe plurality of UAVs based on the operational data (step 906); andtransmitting obstruction instructions to the plurality of UAVs based onanalyzing the obstruction database with their flight plan (step 908).

The obstruction data can include an indication of a potentialobstruction which was not provided to a UAV in the obstructioninstructions. The obstruction data can include a confirmation of anobstruction based on the obstruction instructions, and wherein theupdating can include noting any changes in the obstruction based on theconfirmation. The obstruction instructions can include a request to aUAV to perform data capture of a potential obstruction, wherein theobstruction data can include photos and/or video of the potentialobstruction, and wherein the updating can include identifying thepotential obstruction based on the obstruction data.

The obstruction database can include entries of obstructions with theirheight, size, location, and a permanency flag comprising either atemporary obstruction or a permanent obstruction. The permanency flagcan include a Time To Remove (TTR) for the temporary obstruction whichis a flag with a specified time or a flag which requires removal if thenext UAV passing near the temporary obstruction fails to detect andreport it. The operational data can include a plurality of speed,location, heading, and altitude, and wherein the flight plan isdetermined from the operational data. The plurality of UAVs fly underabout 1000′.

In another embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air trafficcontrol and monitoring system for obstruction detection and managementincludes a network interface and one or more processors communicativelycoupled to one another; and memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the one or more processors to receive UAV data from aplurality of UAVs, wherein the UAV data includes operational data forthe plurality of UAVs and obstruction data from one or more UAVs; updatean obstruction database based on the obstruction data; monitor a flightplan for the plurality of UAVs based on the operational data; andtransmit obstruction instructions to the plurality of UAVs based onanalyzing the obstruction database with their flight plan.

A non-transitory computer-readable medium comprising instructions that,when executed, cause one or more processors to perform steps of:receiving Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) data from a plurality of UAVs,wherein the UAV data includes operational data for the plurality of UAVsand obstruction data from one or more UAVs; updating an obstructiondatabase based on the obstruction data; monitoring a flight plan for theplurality of UAVs based on the operational data; and transmittingobstruction instructions to the plurality of UAVs based on analyzing theobstruction database with their flight plan.

§ 13.0 Managing Detected Static Obstructions

FIG. 20 is a diagram of geographical terrain 1000 with staticobstructions 1002, 1004, 1006. As described herein, static obstructionsare at or near the ground and can be temporary or permanent. Again,since the UAVs 50 fly much lower than conventional aircraft, theseobstructions need to be managed and communicated to the UAVs 50. Adynamic obstruction can include moving objects such as other UAVs 50,vehicles on the ground, etc. Management of dynamic obstructions besidesother UAVs 50 is difficult in the UAV air traffic control system 300 dueto their transient nature. In an embodiment, the UAVs 50 themselves caninclude local techniques to avoid detected dynamic obstructions. The UAVair traffic control system 300 can be used to ensure all controlled UAVs50 know about and avoid other proximate UAVs 50. Static obstructions, onthe other hand, can be efficiently managed and avoided through the UAVair traffic control system 300. The UAV air traffic control system 300can be used to detect the static obstructions through a combination ofcrowd-sourcing data collection by the UAVs 50, use of external databases(mapping programs, satellite imagery, etc.), and the like. The UAV airtraffic control system 300 can also be used to communicate the detectedstatic obstructions to proximate UAVs 50 for avoidance thereof.

Non-limiting examples of static obstructions which are permanent includebuildings, mountains, cell towers, utility lines, bridges, etc.Non-limiting examples of static obstructions which are temporary includetents, parked utility vehicles, etc. From the UAV air traffic controlsystem 300, these temporary and permanent static obstructions can bemanaged the same with the temporary obstructions having a Time To Remove(TTR) parameter which can remove it from the database 820.

The static obstructions can take various forms with different sizes,heights, etc. The static obstruction 1002 is substantially rectangular,e.g., a building or the like. The static obstruction 1004 can besubstantially cylindrical, e.g., a cell tower, pole, or the like. Thestatic obstruction 1006 can be irregularly shaped, e.g., a mountain,building, or the like.

FIG. 21 is a diagram of data structures 1010, 1012 which can be used todefine the exact location of any of the static obstructions 1002, 1004,1006. The UAV air traffic control system 300 can use these datastructures 1010, 1012 to store information in the database 820 regardingthe associated static obstructions 1002, 1004, 1006. In an embodiment,the UAV air traffic control system 300 can use one or both of these datastructures 1010, 1012 to define a location of the static obstructions1002, 1004, 1006. This location can be a no-fly zone, i.e., avoided bythe UAVs 50. The UAV air traffic control system 300 can use the datastructure 1010 for the static obstruction 1002, 1006 and the datastructure 1012 for the static obstruction 1004. In this manner, the UAVs50 can know exactly where the static obstructions 1002, 1004, 1006 arelocated and fly accordingly.

The data structures 1010, 1012 can be managed by the UAV air trafficcontrol system 300 based on data collection by the UAVs 50 and/or othersources. The data structures 1010, 1012 can be stored in the database820 along with the TTR parameter for temporary or permanent.

To populate and manage the data structures 1010, 1012, i.e., toidentify, characterize, and verify, the UAV air traffic control system300 communicates with the UAVs 50 and/or with external sources. For theUAVs 50, the UAVs 50 can be configured to detect the static obstructions1002, 1004, 1006; collect relevant data such as locations, pictures,etc. for populating the data structures 1010, 1012; collect the relevantdata at the direction of the UAV air traffic control system 300; provideverification the static obstructions 1002, 1004, 1006 subsequent to theUAV air traffic control system 300 notifying the UAVs 50 foravoidance/verification; and the like.

In an aspect, the UAVs 50, upon detecting an unidentified staticobstruction 1002, 1004, 1006, the UAVs 50 can collect the relevant dataand forward to the UAV air traffic control system 300. The UAV airtraffic control system 300 can then analyze the relevant data topopulate the data structures 1010, 1012. If additional data is requiredto fully populate the data structures 1010, 1012, the UAV air trafficcontrol system 300 can instruct another UAV 50 at or near the detectedstatic obstruction 1002, 1004, 1006 to collect additional data. Forexample, assume a first UAV 50 detects the static obstruction 1002,1004, 1006 from the east, collects the relevant data, but this is notenough for the UAV air traffic control system 300 to fully populate thedata structures 1010, 1012, the UAV air traffic control system 300 caninstruct a second UAV 50 to approach and collect data from the west.

The UAVs 50 with communication between the UAV air traffic controlsystem 300 can perform real-time detection of the static obstructions1002, 1004, 1006. Additionally, the UAV air traffic control system 300can utilize external sources for offline detection of the staticobstructions 1002, 1004, 1006. For example, the external sources caninclude map data, public record data, satellite imagery, and the like.The UAV air traffic control system 300 can parse and analyze thisexternal data offline to both populate the data structures 1010, 1012 aswell as very the integrity of existing data in the data structures 1010,1012.

Once the data structures 1010, 1012 are populated in the database 820,the UAV air traffic control system 300 can use this data to coordinateflights with the UAVs 50. The UAV air traffic control system 300 canprovide relevant no-fly zone data to UAVs 50 based on their location.The UAV air traffic control system 300 can also manage UAV landing zonesbased on this data, keeping emergency landing zones in differentlocations based on the static obstructions 1002, 1004, 1006; managingrecharging locations in different locations based on the staticobstructions 1002, 1004, 1006; and managing landing locations based onthe static obstructions 1002, 1004, 1006.

FIG. 22 is a flowchart of a static obstruction detection and managementmethod 1050 through an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system for UnmannedAerial Vehicles (UAVs). The static obstruction detection and managementmethod 1050 includes receiving UAV data from a plurality of UAVs relatedto static obstructions (step 1052); receiving external data from one ormore external sources related to the static obstructions (step 1054);analyzing the UAV data and the external data to populate and manage anobstruction database of the static obstructions (step 1056); andtransmitting obstruction instructions to the plurality of UAVs based onanalyzing the obstruction database with their flight plan (step 1058).

The obstruction database can include a plurality of data structures eachdefining a no-fly zone of location coordinates based on the analyzing.The data structures define one of a cylinder and a rectangle sized tocover an associated obstruction and with associated locationcoordinates. The data structures each can include a time to removeparameter defining either a temporary or a permanent obstruction. One ofthe UAV data and the external data can be used first to detect anobstruction and enter the obstruction in the obstruction database, andthe other of the UAV data and the external data is used to verify theobstruction in the obstruction database. The static obstructiondetection and management method 1050 can further include transmittinginstructions to one or more UAVs to obtain additional information topopulate and manage the obstruction database. The static obstructiondetection and management method 1050 can further include managing one ormore of emergency landing locations, recharging locations, and landinglocations for the plurality of UAVs based on the obstruction database.The plurality of UAVs fly under about 1000′ and the obstructions arebased thereon.

§ 14.0 UAV Configuration

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of functional components implemented inphysical components in the UAV 50 for use with the air traffic controlsystem 300, such as for dynamic and static obstruction detection. Thisembodiment in FIG. 23 can be used with any of the UAV 50 embodimentsdescribed herein. The UAV 50 can include a processing device 1100,flight components 1102, cameras 1104, radar 1106, wireless interfaces1108, a data store/memory 1110, a spectrum analyzer 1120, and a locationdevice 1122. These components can be integrated with, disposed on,associated with the body 52 of the UAV 50. The processing device 1100can be similar to the mobile device 100 or the processor 102. Generally,the processing device 1100 can be configured to control operations ofthe flight components 1102, the cameras 1104, the radar 1106, thewireless interfaces 1108, and the data store/memory 1110.

The flight components 1102 can include the rotors 58 and the like.Generally, the flight components 1102 are configured to control theflight, i.e., speed, direction, altitude, heading, etc., of the UAV 50responsive to control by the processing device 1100.

The cameras 1104 can be disposed on or about the body 82. The UAV 50 caninclude one or more cameras 1104, for example, facing differentdirections as well as supporting pan, tilt, zoom, etc. Generally, thecameras 1104 are configured to obtain images and video, including highdefinition. In an embodiment, the UAV 50 includes at least two cameras1104 such as a front-facing and a rear-facing camera. The cameras 1104are configured to provide the images or video to the processing device1100 and/or the data store/memory 1110. The front-facing camera can beconfigured to detect obstructions in front of the UAV 50 as it flies andthe rear-facing camera can be configured to obtain additional images forfurther characterization of the detected obstructions.

The radar 1106 can be configured to detect objects around the UAV 50 inaddition to the cameras 1104, using standard radar techniques. Thewireless interfaces 1108 can be similar to the wireless interfaces 106with similar functionality. The data store/memory 1110 can be similar tothe data store 108 and the memory 110. The wireless interfaces 1108 canbe used to communicate with the air traffic control system 300 over oneor more wireless networks as described herein.

Collectively, the components in the UAV 50 are configured to fly the UAV50, and concurrent detect and identify obstructions during the flight.In an embodiment, the radar 1106 can detect an obstruction through theprocessing device 1100, the processing device 1100 can cause the cameras1104 to obtain images or video, the processing device 1100 can causeadjustments to the flight plan accordingly, and the processing device1100 can identify aspects of the obstruction from the images or video.In another embodiment, the camera 1104 can detect the obstruction, theprocessing device 1100 can cause adjustments to the flight planaccordingly, and the processing device 1100 can identify aspects of theobstruction from the images or video. In a further embodiment, thefront-facing camera or the radar 1106 can detect the obstruction, theprocessing device 1100 can cause the rear-facing and/or the front-facingcamera to obtain images or video, the processing device 1100 can causeadjustments to the flight plan accordingly, and the processing device1100 can identify aspects of the obstruction from the images or video.

In all the embodiments, the wireless interfaces 1108 can be used tocommunicate information about the detected obstruction to the airtraffic control system 300. This information can be based on the localprocessing by the processing device 1100, and the information caninclude, without limitation, size, location, shape, type, images,movement characteristics, etc.

For dynamic obstructions, the UAV 50 can determine movementcharacteristics such as from multiple images or video. The movementcharacteristics can include speed, direction, altitude, etc. and can bederived from analyzing the images of video over time. Based on thesecharacteristics, the UAV 50 can locally determine how to avoid thedetected dynamic obstructions.

Additionally, the air traffic control system 300 can keep track of allof the UAVs 50 under its control or management. Moving UAVs 50 are oneexample of dynamic obstructions. The air traffic control system 300 cannotify the UAVs 50 of other UAVs 50 and the UAVs 50 can also communicatethe detection of the UAVs 50 as well as other dynamic and staticobstructions to the air traffic control system 300.

The spectrum analyzer 1120 is configured to measure wirelessperformance. The spectrum analyzer 1120 can be incorporated in the UAV50, attached thereto, etc. The spectrum analyzer 1120 is communicativelycoupled to the processing device 1100 and the location device 1122. Thelocation device 1122 can be a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) deviceor the like. Specifically, the location device 1122 is configured todetermine a precise location of the UAV 50. The spectrum analyzer 1120can be configured to detect signal bandwidth, frequency, and RadioFrequency (RF) strength. These can collectively be referred to asmeasurements, and they can be correlated to the location where takenfrom the location device 1122.

Referring to FIG. 24 , in an embodiment, a flowchart illustrates a UAVmethod 1200 for obstruction detection. The UAV includes flightcomponents attached or disposed to a base; one or more cameras; radar;one or more wireless interfaces; and a processing device communicativelycoupled to the flight components, the one or more cameras, the radar,and the wireless interfaces. The UAV method 1200 includes monitoringproximate airspace with one or more of one or more cameras and radar(step 1202); detecting an obstruction based on the monitoring (step1204); identifying characteristics of the obstruction (step 1206);altering a flight plan, through the flight components, if required basedon the characteristics (step 1208); and communicating the obstruction toan air traffic control system via one or more wireless interfaces (step1210).

The detecting can be via the radar and the method 1200 can furtherinclude causing the one or more cameras to obtain images or video of thedetected obstruction at a location based on the radar; and analyzing theimages or video to identify the characteristics. The detecting can bevia the one or more cameras and the method 1200 can further includeanalyzing images or video from the one or more cameras to identify thecharacteristics. The one or more cameras can include a front-facingcamera and a rear-facing camera and the method 1200 can further includecausing one or more of the front-facing camera and the rear-facingcamera to obtain additional images or video; and analyzing the images orvideo to identify the characteristics. The obstructions can includedynamic obstructions, and the characteristics comprise size, shape,speed, direction, altitude, and heading. The characteristics can bedetermined based on analyzing multiple images or video over time. TheUAV method 1200 can further include receiving notifications from the airtraffic control system related to previously detected obstructions; andupdating the air traffic control system based on the detection of thepreviously detected obstructions. The characteristics are for anobstruction database maintained by the air traffic control system.

§ 15.0 Waypoint Directory

In an embodiment, the UAV air traffic control system 300 uses aplurality of waypoints to manage air traffic in a geographic region.Again, waypoints are sets of coordinates that identify a point inphysical space. The waypoints can include longitude and latitude as wellas an altitude. For example, the waypoints can be defined over somearea, for example, a square, rectangle, hexagon, or some other geometricshape, covering some amount of area. It is not practical to define awaypoint as a physical point as this would lead to an infinite number ofwaypoints for management by the UAV air traffic control system 300.Instead, the waypoints can cover a set area, such as every foot tohundred feet or some other distance. In an embodiment, the waypoints canbe set between 1′ to 50′ in dense urban regions, between 1′ to 100′ inmetropolitan or suburban regions, and between 1′ to 1000′ in ruralregions. Setting such sized waypoints provides a manageable approach inthe UAV air traffic control system 300 and for communication over thewireless networks with the UAVs 50. The waypoints can also include analtitude. However, since UAV 50 flight is generally constrained toseveral hundred feet, the waypoints can either altitude or segment thealtitude in a similar manner as the area. For example, the altitude canbe separated in 100′ increments, etc. Accordingly, the defined waypointscan blanket an entire geographic region for management by the UAV airtraffic control system 300.

The waypoints can be detected by the UAVs 50 using locationidentification components such as GPS. A typical GPS receiver can locatea waypoint with an accuracy of three meters or better when used withland-based assisting technologies such as the Wide Area AugmentationSystem (WAAS). Waypoints are managed by the UAV air traffic controlsystem 300 and communicated to the UAVs 50, and used for a variety ofpurposes described herein. In an embodiment, the waypoints can be usedto define a flight path for the UAVs 50 by defining a start and endwaypoint as well as defining a plurality of intermediate waypoints.

The waypoints for a given geographic region (e.g., a city, region,state, etc.) can be managed in a waypoint directory which is stored andmanaged in the DB 820. The DB 820 can include the waypoint directory andactively manage a status of each waypoint. For example, the status canbe either obstructed, clear, or unknown. With these classifications, theUAV air traffic control system 300 can actively manage UAV 50 flightpaths. The UAVs 50 can also check and continually update the DB 820through communication with the UAV air traffic control system 300. Theuse of the waypoints provides an efficient mechanism to define flightpaths.

§ 15.1 Use of Waypoints

The UAV air traffic control system 300 and the UAVs 50 can use thewaypoints for various purposes including i) flight path definition, ii)start and end point definition, iii) tracking of UAVs 50 in flight, iv)measuring the reliability and accuracy of information from particularUAVs 50, v) visualizations of UAV 50 flight, and the like. For flightpath definition, the waypoints can be a collection of points defininghow a particular UAV 50 should fly. In an embodiment, the flight pathcan be defined with waypoints across the entire flight path. In anotherembodiment, the flight path can be defined by various marker waypointsallowing the particular UAV 50 the opportunity to determine flight pathsbetween the marker waypoints locally. In a further embodiment, theflight path is defined solely by the start and end waypoints, and theUAV 50 locally determines the flight path based thereon.

In these embodiments, the intermediate waypoints are still monitored andused to manage the UAV 50 in flight. In an embodiment, the UAV 50 canprovide updates to the UAV air traffic control system 300 based onobstruction detection as described herein. These updates can be used toupdate the status of the waypoint directory in the DB 820. The UAV airtraffic control system 300 can use the waypoints as a mechanism to trackthe UAVs 50. This can include waypoint rules such as no UAV 50 can be ina certain proximity to another UAV 50 based on the waypoints, speed, anddirection. This can include proactive notifications based on the currentwaypoint, speed, and direction, and the like.

In an embodiment, the waypoints can be used for measuring thereliability and accuracy of information from particular UAVs 50. Again,the waypoints provide a mechanism to define the geography. The UAV airtraffic control system 300 is configured to receive updates from UAVs 50about the waypoints. The UAV air traffic control system 300 candetermine the reliability and accuracy of the updates based oncrowd-sourcing the updates. Specifically, the UAV air traffic controlsystem 300 can receive an update which either confirms the currentstatus or changes the current status. For example, assume a waypoint iscurrently clear, and an update is provided which says the waypoint isclear, then this UAV 50 providing the update is likely accurate.Conversely, assume a waypoint is currently clear, and an update isprovided which says the waypoint is now obstructed, but a short timelater, another update from another UAV 50 says the waypoint is clear,this may reflect inaccurate information. Based on comparisons betweenUAVs 50 and their associated waypoint updates, scoring can occur for theUAVs 50 to determine reliability and accuracy. This is useful for theUAV air traffic control system 300 to implement status updatechanges—preference may be given to UAVs 50 with higher scoring.

The waypoints can also be used for visualization in the UAV air trafficcontrol system 300. Specifically, waypoints on mapping programs providea convenient mechanism to show location, start and end points, etc. Thewaypoints can be used to provide operators and pilots visual informationrelated to one or more UAVs 50.

FIG. 25 is a flowchart of a waypoint management method 1250 for an AirTraffic Control (ATC) system for Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). Thewaypoint management method 1250 includes communicating with a pluralityof UAVs via one or more wireless networks comprising at least onecellular or satellite network (step 1252); receiving updates related toan obstruction status of each of a plurality of waypoints from theplurality of UAVs, wherein the plurality of waypoints are defined over ageographic region under control of the ATC system (step 1254); andmanaging flight paths, landing, and take-off of the plurality of UAVs inthe geographic region based on the obstruction status of each of theplurality of waypoints (step 1256). The plurality of waypoints eachincludes a latitude and longitude coordinate defining a point aboutwhich an area is defined for covering a portion of the geographicregion. A size of the area can be based on whether the area covers anurban region, a suburban region, and a rural region in the geographicarea, wherein the size is smaller for the urban region than for thesuburban region and the rural region, and wherein the size is smallerfor the suburban region than for the rural region. Each of the pluralityof waypoints can include an altitude range set based on flight altitudesof the plurality of UAVs.

The ATC system can include an obstruction database comprising a datastructure for each of the plurality of waypoints defining a uniqueidentifier of a location and the obstruction status, and wherein theobstruction status comprises one of clear, obstructed, and unknown. Thewaypoint management method 1250 can further include updating theobstruction status for each of the plurality of waypoints in theobstruction database based on the received updates (step 1258). Thewaypoint management method 1250 can further include defining the flightpaths based on specifying two or more waypoints of the plurality ofwaypoints. A flight path can be defined by one of specifying a startwaypoint and an end waypoint and allowing a UAV to determine a paththerebetween locally; and specifying a start waypoint and an endwaypoint and a plurality of intermediate waypoints between the startwaypoint and the end waypoint. The waypoint management method 1250 canfurther include scoring each UAV's updates for the plurality ofwaypoints to determine reliability and accuracy of the updates.

In another embodiment, an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system for UnmannedAerial Vehicles (UAVs) using waypoint management includes a networkinterface and one or more processors communicatively coupled to oneanother, wherein the network interface is communicatively coupled to aplurality of UAVs via one or more wireless networks; and memory storinginstructions that, when executed, cause the one or more processors tocommunicate with a plurality of UAVs via one or more wireless networkscomprising at least one cellular or satellite network; receive updatesrelated to an obstruction status of each of a plurality of waypointsfrom the plurality of UAVs, wherein the plurality of waypoints aredefined over a geographic region under control of the ATC system; andmanage flight paths, landing, and take-off of the plurality of UAVs inthe geographic region based on the obstruction status of each of theplurality of waypoints.

In a further embodiment, a non-transitory computer-readable mediumcomprising instructions that, when executed, cause one or moreprocessors to perform steps of communicating with a plurality of UAVsvia one or more wireless networks comprising at least one cellular orsatellite network; receiving updates related to an obstruction status ofeach of a plurality of waypoints from the plurality of UAVs, wherein theplurality of waypoints are defined over a geographic region undercontrol of the ATC system; and managing flight paths, landing, andtake-off of the plurality of UAVs in the geographic region based on theobstruction status of each of the plurality of waypoints.

§ 16.0 Network Switchover and Emergency Instructions

FIG. 26 is a flowchart of a UAV network switchover and emergencyprocedure method 1600. The method 1600 can be implemented by the UAV 50in conjunction with the ATC system 300 and the wireless networks 302,304. The method 1600 includes communicating to an Air Traffic Control(ATC) system via a primary wireless network (step 1602); receiving andstoring emergency instructions from the ATC system (step 1604);detecting communication disruption on the primary wireless network tothe ATC system (step 1606); responsive to the detecting, switching to abackup wireless network to reestablish communication to the ATC system(step 1608); and, responsive to failing to reestablish communication tothe ATC system via the backup wireless network, implementing theemergency instructions (step 1610).

Thus, the method 1600 enables the UAV 50 to maintain connectivity to theATC system 300 during an outage, catastrophe, etc. The ATC system 300 isconfigured to provide the emergency instructions from the ATC system 300for use in case of a network disturbance or outage. The UAV 50 isconfigured to store the emergency instructions. The emergencyinstructions can include an altitude to maintain and a flight plan tomaintain until communication is reestablished, nearby landing zones toproceed to, continuing to a destination as planned, immediate landing atone of a plurality of designated locations, flying lane information,hover in place, hover in place for a certain amount of time to regaincommunication, hover in place until a battery level is reached and thenland or proceed to another location, and the like. Of note, the ATCsystem 300 can periodically update the emergency instructions. Further,the ATC system 300 can provide multiple different emergency instructionsfor a local decision by the UAV 50. The objective of the method 1600 isto ensure the UAV 50 operates with communication to the ATC system 300and in the absence of communication to implement the emergencyinstructions.

The method 1600 can further include, during the emergency instructions,reestablishing communication to the ATC system via one of the primarywireless network and the backup wireless network; and receivinginstructions from the ATC system. The primary wireless network caninclude a first wireless provider network and the backup wirelessnetwork can include a second wireless provider network. The firstwireless provider network and the second wireless provider network caninclude a cellular network, such as LTE. The UAV 50 can include awireless interface configured to communicate to each of the firstwireless provider network and the second wireless provider network. Thecommunicating to the ATC system can include providing flight informationto the ATC system; and receiving instructions and updates from the ATCsystem for real-time control. The flight information can include weatherand obstacle reporting, speed, altitude, location, and direction, andthe instructions and updates can relate to separation assurance, trafficmanagement, landing, and flight plan.

In another embodiment, the UAV 50 is configured for network switchoverto communicate with an Air Traffic Control (ATC) system. The UAV 50includes one or more rotors disposed to a body and configured forflight; wireless interfaces including hardware and antennas adapted tocommunicate with a primary wireless network and a backup wirelessnetwork of a plurality of wireless networks; a processor coupled to thewireless interfaces and the one or more rotors; and memory storinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: communicate toATC system via the primary wireless network; receive and store emergencyinstructions from the ATC system; detect communication disruption on theprimary wireless network to the ATC system; responsive to detection ofthe communication disruption, switch to the backup wireless network toreestablish communication to the ATC system; and, responsive to failureto reestablish communication to the ATC system via the backup wirelessnetwork, implement the emergency instructions.

§ 17.0 Elevator or Tube Lift

FIGS. 27-30 are diagrams of a lift tube 1700 for drone takeoff. FIG. 27is a diagram of the lift tube 1700 and a staging location 1702 and FIG.28 is a diagram of the lift tube 1700 in a location 1704 such as afactory, warehouse, distribution center, etc. FIG. 29 is a diagram of apneumatic lift tube 1700A and FIG. 30 is a diagram of an elevator lifttube 1700B. The present disclosure includes systems for the lift tube1700 and methods for the use of the lift tube 1700 in conjunction withthe UAV air traffic control system 300.

The lift tube 1700 is utilized for the UAVs 50 to take off from withinthe location 1704. Specifically, the lift tube 1700 is located in thelocation 1704, such as a factory, warehouse, distribution center, etc.,such that the UAVs 50 can be launched from a floor or interior point inthe location 1704. The lift tube 1700 provides an efficient flow and useof the UAV 50 in existing facilities, i.e., incorporating UAV 50 takeofffrom within the facility as opposed to adding extra steps or moving theUAVs 50 outside or up to a roof. That is, the UAVs 50 can be loaded withproducts or delivery items and then take off via the lift tube 1700 toan elevated position or rooftop without an individual carrying the UAVto the roof or outside.

The lift tube 1700 is a physical conduit or the like which extends froma lower portion of the location 1704 to outside the location 1704, suchas on the roof. For example, the lift tube 1700 can be cylindrical orsquare and extend in vertical direction. The size of the lift tube 1700is such that it supports the UAV 50 in an upward direction along withany cargo carried by the UAV 50. Of note, the lift tube 1700 couldsupport multiple UAVs 50 simultaneously at different elevations.

In an embodiment, the lift tube 1700 can be the pneumatic lift tube1700A which includes compressed air 1720 to cause the UAVs 50 to moveupwards from an ingress of the pneumatic lift tube 1700A to an egressoutside. For example, the UAVs 50 can be loaded in a closed cylinderwhich is moved in the pneumatic lift tube 1700A. Alternatively, the UAVs50 can fly themselves in the pneumatic lift tube 1700A with thecompressed air 1720 providing assistance.

In another embodiment, the lift tube 1700 can be the elevator lift tube1700B which includes an elevator including a lift 1730 and multiplesupports 1732. Each UAV 50 can be placed on one of the supports 1732 andthe lift 1730 can move to raise the support 1732.

In operation, the staging location 1702 can be a conveyor belt or thelike. For example, personnel can place the UAVs 50 and associated cargoon the staging location 1702, similar to an aircraft in line for taxi atthe runway. The staging location 1702 can provide the UAVs 50 to thelift tube 1700 for launch thereof. Again, the lift tube 1700 can be thepneumatic lift tube 1700A, the elevator lift tube 1700B, or the likethat raises the UAVs 50 that have been loaded with products or deliveryitems. This essentially creates a launching pad from an elevatedposition or rooftop without forcing employees to have to go onto theroof.

Further, the operation of the lift tube 1700 can be controlled by theUAV air traffic control system 300 which in addition to performing thevarious functions described herein can further include logisticsmanagement to coordinate the UAVs 50 in the location 1704.

In an embodiment, a method of using a lift tube with an Unmanned AerialVehicle (UAV) air traffic control system includes staging one or moreUAVs and associated cargo for takeoff; moving the staged one or moreUAVs to a lift tube; and controlling the lift tube by the UAV airtraffic control system to provide the one or more UAVs for takeoff,wherein the lift tube is a vertical structure disposed in a facility toraise the one or more UAVs from an interior position in the facility fortakeoff outside of the facility. The lift tube can include an elevatorlift tube with a lift and a plurality of supports disposed thereto, eachof the supports comprising a vertical structure supporting a UAV withassociated cargo, and the lift is configured to raise the plurality ofsupports along the elevator lift tube. The lift tube can include apneumatic lift tube with compressed air therein causing a vacuumextending upwards in the vertical structure for lifting the one or moreUAVs. The facility can include one of a factory, a warehouse, and adistribution center. The UAV air traffic control system 300 can beconfigured to provide logistics management to coordinate the staging,the moving, and the takeoff of the one or more UAVs via the controlledlift tube. The lift tube 1700 can be communicative coupled to acontroller which has a wireless network connection to the UAV airtraffic control system 300 for control thereof.

In another embodiment, a lift tube system controlled in part by anUnmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air traffic control system includes astaging location for one or more UAVs and associated cargo for takeoff;a lift tube comprising a vertical structure disposed in a facility toraise the one or more UAVs from an interior position in the facility fortakeoff outside of the facility; and a controller configured to causemovement of the staged one or more UAVs to the lift tube; and controlthe lift tube with the UAV air traffic control system to provide the oneor more UAVs for takeoff. The lift tube can include an elevator lifttube with a lift and a plurality of supports disposed thereto, each ofthe supports comprising a vertical structure supporting a UAV withassociated cargo, and the lift is configured to raise the plurality ofsupports along the elevator lift tube. The lift tube can include apneumatic lift tube with compressed air therein causing a vacuumextending upwards in the vertical structure for lifting the one or moreUAVs. The facility can include one of a factory, a warehouse, and adistribution center. The UAV air traffic control system can beconfigured to provide logistics management to coordinate the staging,the moving, and the takeoff of the one or more UAVs via the controlledlift tube. The lift tube can be communicatively coupled to a controllerwhich has a wireless network connection to the UAV air traffic controlsystem for control thereof.

In a further embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air trafficcontrol system configured to control a lift tube system includes anetwork interface communicatively coupled to the lift tube system; aprocessor communicatively coupled to the network interface; and memorystoring instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to,responsive to staging one or more UAVs and associated cargo for takeoff,cause movement of the staged one or more UAVs to a lift tube; andcontrol the lift tube by the UAV air traffic control system to providethe one or more UAVs for takeoff, wherein the lift tube is a verticalstructure disposed in a facility to raise the one or more UAVs from aninterior position in the facility for takeoff outside of the facility.The lift tube can include an elevator lift tube with a lift and aplurality of supports disposed thereto, each of the supports comprisinga vertical structure supporting a UAV with associated cargo, and thelift is configured to raise the plurality of supports along the elevatorlift tube. The lift tube can include a pneumatic lift tube withcompressed air therein causing a vacuum extending upwards in thevertical structure for lifting the one or more UAVs. The facility caninclude one of a factory, a warehouse, and a distribution center. TheUAV air traffic control system can be configured to provide logisticsmanagement to coordinate the staging, the moving, and the takeoff of theone or more UAVs via the controlled lift tube. The lift tube can becommunicatively coupled to a controller which has a wireless networkconnection to the UAV air traffic control system for control thereof.

There can be one or more lift tubes 1700 in the location 1704. In anembodiment, the lift tube 1700 can be used solely for cargo, i.e., tolift the cargo up to a roof and then the cargo is attached to the UAV50. Here, the cargo can be connected to the UAV 50 on the roof and theUAV 50 can then take off. Here, there can be a takeoff point 1750 whereUAVs 50 are staged and the cargo is added from the lift tube 1700. Thelift tube 1700 can be either the pneumatic lift tube 1700A, the elevatorlift tube 1700B, or the like, and the cargo can be lifted on thesupports 1732 or in a capsule which slides in the pneumatic lift tube1700A. The air traffic control system 300 can control the takeoff of thevarious UAVs 50 at the takeoff point 1750.

§ 18.0 Modified Inevitable Collision State (ICS)

FIG. 31 is a flowchart of a modified inevitable collision state method1800 for collision avoidance of drones. The method 1800 is implementedthrough the UAV air traffic control system 300 described herein. Themethod 1800 can be performed in one or more servers each including anetwork interface, a processor, and memory; and a databasecommunicatively coupled to the one or more servers, wherein the networkinterface in each of the one or more servers is communicatively coupledto one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) via a plurality ofwireless networks at least one of which includes a cellular or satellitenetwork.

The method 1800 includes obtaining operational data from a UAV (step1802), obtaining conditions from one or more of the operational data andthe database (step 1804), determining a future flight plan based on theoperational data and a flying lane assignment for the UAV (step 1806),determining potential collisions in the future flight plan based onstatic obstructions and dynamic obstructions, obtained from the databasebased on the future flight plan (step 1808), and providing evasivemaneuver instructions to the UAV based on the determined potentialcollisions (step 1810).

The objective of the method 1800 is up to 100% collision avoidance bymodeling potential collisions based on algorithms taking into accountdrone size; drone speed, direction and wind load; and wind speed anddirection. The operational data can include speed, direction, altitude,heading, and location of the UAV, and wherein the future flight plan canbe determined based on a size of the UAV and the UAV speed, direction,and wind load.

The method 1800 can further include providing the flying lane assignmentto the UAV, wherein the flying lane assignment is selected from aplurality of flying lane assignments to maximize collision-freetrajectories based on the static obstructions. The method 1800 canfurther include managing ground hold time for a plurality of UAVs tomanage airspace, i.e., minimize ground hold time for drones, safelymaximize drone flight time for all airspace users. The evasive maneuverinstructions utilize six degrees of freedom in movement of the UAV. Themethod 1800 can further include storing the future flight plan in thedatabase along with future flight plans for a plurality of UAVs, for adetermination of the dynamic obstructions.

The method 1800 can include algorithms to predict finally restinglocations for falling drones from various altitudes and under a varietyof conditions (velocity, wind speed, drone size/wind load, etc.).Advantageously, the method 1800 can move all drone traffic safelythrough U.S. airspace—recognizing it is a dynamic environment. This mayencourage the use of flying lanes that are located away from or abovepotential consumer drone traffic. The method 1800 can also minimize andattempt to eliminate all unauthorized drone flights.

In another embodiment, an ATC system 300 includes one or more serverseach including a network interface, a processor, and memory; and adatabase communicatively coupled to the one or more servers, wherein thenetwork interface in each of the one or more servers is communicativelycoupled to one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) via a pluralityof wireless networks at least one of which includes a cellular orsatellite network; wherein the one or more servers are configured toobtain operational data from a UAV, obtain conditions from one or moreof the operational data and the database, determine a future flight planbased on the operational data and a flying lane assignment for the UAV,determine potential collisions in the future flight plan based on staticobstructions and dynamic obstructions, obtained from the database basedon the future flight plan, and provide evasive maneuver instructions tothe UAV based on the determined potential collisions.

In a further embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) includes oneor more rotors disposed to a body and configured for flight; wirelessinterfaces including hardware and antennas adapted to communicate with aplurality of wireless networks at least one of which includes a cellularor satellite network; a processor coupled to the wireless interfaces andthe one or more rotors; and memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to monitor operational data during theflight, provide the operational data to an air traffic control systemvia the wireless networks, wherein the air traffic control systemobtains conditions from one or more of the operational data and adatabase, determines a future flight plan based on the operational dataand a flying lane assignment for the UAV, and determines potentialcollisions in the future flight plan based on static obstructions anddynamic obstructions, obtained from the database based on the futureflight plan, and receive evasive maneuver instructions from the airtraffic control system based on the determined potential collisions.

§ 19.0 Flying Lane Management with Lateral Separation

FIG. 32 is a flowchart of a flying lane management method 1850. Again,the flying lane management method 1850 relates to lateral separationsbetween drones (UAV's) operating in the same flying lane or at the samealtitude and in the same proximity or geography. The distance betweenUAVs 50 is standardized and set based on the purpose of the particularflying lane 700 by the ATC system 300. For example, the flying lane 700is an entry and exit lane allowing for UAVs 50 taking off to enter theATC system 300, an intermediate flying lane that allows for some speedbut also puts UAVs 50 in a position to move into an entry/exit lane, ahigh-speed lane (express) at a higher altitude allowing for UAVs 50 toquickly reach their destination, and the like.

In an embodiment, standard distances between UAVs 50 may be closer inlower altitude/entry and exit lanes where UAV 50 speeds may be lowerthan higher altitude lanes. Standard distances between UAVs 50 may befurther in high altitude lanes due to increased speed of the UAVs 50 andallow for more time for speed and course corrections and to avoidcollisions.

The distance between UAVs 50 can be changed at any time and newinstructions sent to UAVs 50, from the ATC system 300 via the wirelessnetworks 302, 304, to require speed changes or to hold position. The newinstructions can be based on changes in weather and more specificallystorms and rain, changes in wind speed and dealing with imprecise windspeed forecasts that impact drone speed and fuel usage (battery, gas),obstructions entering or expected to enter the flying lane(s) 700, a UAV50 experiencing a problem such as limited battery power or fuel left,temporary flight restrictions that may include restricted airspace, andthe like.

The lateral separation accounts for UAVs 50 entering and leaving flyinglanes 700 to account for the required takeoff, landing, and possiblehovering or delivery of products by UAVs 50 that must exit flying lanesto achieve their objectives. All communications to and from UAVs 50occur over the wireless networks 302, 304 to and from the ATC system 300and/or backup Air Traffic Control centers. The airspeed for UAVs 50 canbe measured and/or authorized in knots and/or miles per hour (mph)within and outside of the flying lanes 700 to achieve appropriatelateral separations within the flying lanes. The objective of theseprocedures is to ensure safe and efficient drone flights in the UnitedStates airspace.

The flying lane management method 1850 includes, in an air trafficcontrol system configured to manage UAV flight in a geographic region,communicating to one or more UAVs over one or more wireless networks,wherein a plurality of flying lanes are defined and standardized in thegeographic region each based on a specific purpose (step 1852);determining an associated flying lane of the plurality of flying lanesfor each of the one or more UAVs (step 1854); communicating theassociated flying lane to the one or more UAVs over the one or morewireless networks (step 1856); receiving feedback from the one or moreUAVs via the one or more wireless networks during flight in theassociated flying lane (step 1858); and providing a new instruction tothe one or more UAVs based on the feedback (step 1860).

The plurality of flying lanes can include lanes for entry and exitallowing the one or more UAVs to take off or land, lanes for theintermediate flight which are positioned adjacent to the lanes for entryand exit, and lanes for high speed at a higher altitude than the lanesfor intermediate flight. Distances between UAVs can be set closer in thelanes for entry and exit than in the lanes for intermediate flight thanin the lanes for high speed. The new instruction can be based on achange in weather comprising storms or rain. The new instruction can bebased on a change in wind speed and based on wind speed forecasts andassociated impact on the one or more UAVs and their fuel usage. The newinstruction can be based on obstructions entering or expected to enterthe flying lane.

In another embodiment, an air traffic control system includes one ormore servers each comprising a network interface, a processor, andmemory; and a database communicatively coupled to the one or moreservers, wherein the network interface in each of the one or moreservers is communicatively coupled to one or more Unmanned AerialVehicles (UAVs) via a plurality of wireless networks at least one ofwhich comprises a cellular or satellite network, wherein a plurality offlying lanes are defined and standardized in the geographic region eachbased on a specific purpose, and wherein the one or more servers areconfigured to communicate to the one or more UAVs over the one or morewireless networks; determine an associated flying lane of the pluralityof flying lanes for each of the one or more UAVs; communicate theassociated flying lane to the one or more UAVs over the one or morewireless networks; receive feedback from the one or more UAVs via theone or more wireless networks during flight in the associated flyinglane; and provide a new instruction to the one or more UAVs based on thefeedback.

In a further embodiment, an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) includes oneor more rotors disposed to a body and configured for flight; wirelessinterfaces including hardware and antennas adapted to communicate withone or more wireless networks at least one of which includes a cellularor satellite network; a processor coupled to the wireless interfaces andthe one or more rotors; and memory storing instructions that, whenexecuted, cause the processor to communicate over the one or morewireless networks with an air traffic control system configured tomanage UAV flight in a geographic region, wherein a plurality of flyinglanes are defined and standardized in the geographic region each basedon a specific purpose; receive an associated flying lane of theplurality of flying lanes from the air traffic control system over theone or more wireless networks; provide feedback to the air trafficcontrol system via the one or more wireless networks during flight inthe associated flying lane; receive a new instruction from the airtraffic control system based on the feedback; and implement the newinstruction.

§ 20.0 Drone Service for Package Pickup and Delivery

FIG. 33 is a diagram of a drone delivery system 2000 using the ATCsystem 300. Again, the UAVs 50 can be used to pick up and deliver goodssuch as, for example, groceries, packages, mail, takeout, etc. The dronedelivery system 2000 contemplates operation of a service where theoperator utilizes the UAVs 50 and communication thereto via the wirelessnetworks 302, 304. For example, a UAV 50 from the delivery operator canfly to various distribution/pickup locations 2002 systems and methodsfor Drone Air Traffic Control (ATC) over wireless networks for packagepickup and delivery to various delivery locations 2004, e.g., homes,offices, etc.

The delivery operator can provide a delivery service which supportsmultiple different distribution/pickup locations 2002 such as fordifferent companies. That is, the delivery service can support variouscompanies in a geographic region, supported by the ATC system 300. Thedelivery service can be for smaller companies who cannot build their owndrone fleet. For example, the delivery service can be similar to parceldelivery services, albeit via the UAVs 50. Of course, other embodimentsare contemplated. Also, it is contemplated that the UAV 50 can handlemultiple packages at the same time, including from differentdistribution/pickup locations 2002 and with different delivery locations2004. The ATC system 300 can perform the various functions describedherein. Further, the UAVs 50 for the drone delivery system 2000 can alsobe configured as described herein, such as to constrain flight to wherethere is coverage in the wireless networks 302, 304.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart of Drone Air Traffic Control (ATC) method 2010over wireless networks for package pickup and delivery. The method 2100includes, in an air traffic control system configured to manage UnmannedAerial Vehicle (UAV) flight in a geographic region, communicating to oneor more UAVs over one or more wireless networks, wherein the one or moreUAVs are configured to constrain flight based on coverage of the one ormore wireless networks (step 2012); receiving a delivery request from acompany specifying a pickup location, a package, and a delivery location(step 2014); selecting a UAV of the one or more UAVs for the deliveryrequests (step 2016); and directing the UAV to pick up the package atthe pickup location and to deliver the package to the delivery location,wherein the air traffic control system provides a flight plan to the UAVbased on the delivery request (step 2018).

The drone method 2010 can further include receiving a second deliveryrequest from a second company specifying a second pickup location, asecond package, and a second delivery location; selecting a second UAVof the one or more UAVs for the delivery requests; and directing thesecond UAV to pick up the second package at the second pickup locationand to deliver the second package to the second delivery location,wherein the air traffic control system provides a second flight plan tothe second UAV based on the second delivery request

The UAV 50 can include an antenna communicatively coupled to the one ormore wireless networks, and wherein the flight is constrained based onthe antenna monitoring signal strength during the flight and adjustingthe flight based therein whenever the signal strength is lost ordegraded. The drone method 2010 can further include receiving flightinformation from the UAV during the flight; and providing updates to theflight plan based on the flight information. The air traffic controlsystem can maintain location information for the UAV based on thecommunicating. The location information can be determined based on acombination of triangulation by a plurality of cell towers and adetermination by the UAV based on a location identification network.

The drone method 2010 can further include assigning the UAV a specifiedflying lane and ensuring the UAV is within the specified flying lanebased on the communicating. The drone method 2010 can further includereceiving photographs and/or video of the delivery location subsequentto delivery of the package; and providing the photographs and/or videoas a response to the delivery request. The directing can includeproviding a delivery technique comprising one of landing, dropping via atether, dropping to a doorstep, dropping to a mailbox, dropping to aporch, and dropping to a garage.

In another embodiment, a drone air traffic control system includes aprocessor and a network interface communicatively coupled to oneanother; and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause theprocessor to: communicate to one or more Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)over one or more wireless networks, wherein the one or more UAVs areconfigured to constrain flight based on coverage of the one or morewireless networks; receive a delivery request from a company specifyinga pickup location, a package, and a delivery location; select a UAV ofthe one or more UAVs for the delivery requests; and direct the UAV topick up the package at the pickup location and to deliver the package tothe delivery location, wherein the air traffic control system provides aflight plan to the UAV based on the delivery request.

§ 21.0 Weather Information Based Flight Updates

Again, flying lanes can be used by the ATC system 300 to manage flightof various UAVs 50 in a geographic region. Additionally, a highpercentage of problems in flight are caused by weather-relatedincidents, e.g., wind shear, crosswinds, fuel mismanagement caused byunexpected or unplanned winds, ice, freezing rain, icing, thunderstorms,etc. Accordingly, in an embodiment, the ATC system 300 is configured tolearn about weather-related incidents and incorporate this informationinto flight plans, flying lanes, etc. for safer, more efficient flightof the UAVs 50.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart of a UAV air traffic control management method2100 which provides real-time course corrections and route optimizationsbased on weather information. Again, the ATC system 300 operates tomanage UAVs 50 in a geographic region. In an embodiment, the ATC system300 can receive real-time weather updates. The UAV air traffic controlmanagement method 2100 incorporates weather updates for real-time coursecorrections and route optimization (over the wireless networks 302,304). The real-time course corrections and route optimization caninclude, for example: instructions to change direction, instructions tochange flying lane(s), instruction to land and where the drone shouldtarget for landing, full route modification with an emphasis on routeoptimization while avoiding the negative impact of the weather event,instructions to speed up or slow down, instructions to change altitude,instructions to hold position for a specific or indefinite time period,instructions to move to a safe position away from the weather event andeither hold in the air or on the ground for a specific or indefinitetime period, instructions to land very quickly, instructions to landvery slowly, instructions to circle, and the like.

The UAV air traffic control management method 2100 includes, in an airtraffic control system configured to manage Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) flight in a geographic region, communicating to one or more UAVsover one or more wireless networks, wherein the one or more UAVs areconfigured to constrain flight based on coverage of the one or morewireless networks (step 2102); receiving weather information related tothe geographic region (step 2104); analyzing the weather informationwith respect to a flight plan of the one or more UAVs (step 2106); andproviding changes to the flight plan based on the analyzing the weatherinformation, wherein the changes comprise one or more of coursecorrections and route optimization based on the weather information(step 2108).

The UAV can include an antenna communicatively coupled to the one ormore wireless networks, and wherein the flight is constrained based onthe antenna monitoring signal strength during the flight and adjustingthe flight based therein whenever the signal strength is lost ordegraded.

The changes can include instructions to change direction, instructionsto change flying lane(s), instruction to land and where the drone shouldtarget for landing, full route modification with an emphasis on routeoptimization while avoiding the negative impact of the weather event,instructions to speed up or slow down, instructions to change altitude,instructions to hold position for a specific or indefinite time period,instructions to move to a safe position away from the weather event andeither hold in the air or on the ground for a specific or indefinitetime period, instructions to land very quickly, instructions to landvery slowly, instructions to circle, and the like.

§ 22.0 Package Drop-Off

Again, the air traffic control system 300 can receive delivery requestsfrom a company and direct a UAV 50 to pick up a package and deliver thepackage to a delivery location. The delivery request can include datathat is maintained by the air traffic control system 300 to perform thedelivery. This data can include the delivery instructions including thedelivery coordinates, the delivery location, package care instructions,and package drop-off instructions.

A delivery technique for the package can be obtained from the packagedrop-off instructions or can be determined based on one or more of thedelivery locations, package care instructions, package drop-offinstructions, and a check of the delivery location. The deliverytechnique can be determined by the air traffic control system 300 or bythe UAV 50. Alternatively, the delivery technique can be received by theair traffic control system 300 as part of the delivery request. Thedelivery technique can be selected from one of multiple deliverytechniques including landing the UAV 50 to place the package, droppingthe package from a predetermined height, lowering the package from atether to place the package, and swinging the package towards the droplocation and disengaging the connection. Swinging the package can beperformed by maneuvering the UAV 50 to transfer momentum to the package.The transferred momentum to the package can be used to deliver thepackage to a location that cannot be reached from directly above.

For example, a delivery location in a mailbox, in a partially openedgarage or on a covered porch may not be accessible from directly above.As such, the UAV 50 can maneuver to swing the package, and then releasethe package so that the momentum of the package carries the package intothe delivery location (i.e. into the mailbox, into the garage, or ontothe porch). This can be performed where the package is being held at abottom of the UAV 50 or where the package has been lowered by a tetherwhere the tether can be used to further transfer the momentum to thepackage, such as by swinging the package on the tether.

In some embodiments, delivery techniques can be limited when particularcare instructions for the package are included in the delivery request.For example, when a package is marked as fragile, and/or withinstructions to handle with care, delivery methods, such as dropping thepackage or releasing the package with momentum may not be used to ensurethat the contents of the package are not damaged during the deliveryprocess.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart of a package delivery method 3600. The method canbe combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. The packagedelivery method 3600 includes, in an air traffic control system 300configured to manage UAV flight in a geographic region, communicating toone or more UAVs 50 over one or more wireless networks (step 3602). Thepackage delivery method 3600 can also include selecting a deliverytechnique for the UAV 50 to drop the package at a delivery location(step 3604). The delivery technique can be selected from multipletechniques, such as the techniques disclosed above, including the UAV 50maneuvering to swing the package, the maneuvering being such thatmomentum is transferred to the package. This technique can includereleasing the package with momentum so that the package will reach thedelivery location after the package is released. The package deliverymethod 3600 can further include directing the UAV 50 to deliver thepackage (step 3606). The package delivery method 3600 can yet furtherinclude the air traffic control system 300 communicating deliveryinstructions to a UAV 50 (step 3608). As described above, the deliveryinstructions can include the delivery coordinates, the deliverylocation, package care instructions, and package drop-off instructionswith the delivery technique. The delivery instructions can be part of aflight plan provided to the UAV 50 by the air traffic control system300.

In some embodiments, not all delivery methods may be available at adelivery location. As such, the package delivery method 3600 can includeconfirming a selected delivery technique is suitable for the deliverylocation. This can include receiving feedback from the UAV, such asimages of the delivery location, and the like. Alternatively, thefeedback can be obtained by the air traffic control system 300 prior toselecting a delivery technique.

§ 23.0 Package Deliveries and Returns

Again, the air traffic control system 300/drone delivery system 2000 canbe used to schedule, manage, and coordinate pickup, distribution,delivery, and returns of one or more packages. As described above, a UAV50 from a delivery operator can fly to various distribution/pickuplocations 2002 for package pickup and delivery to various deliverylocations 2004 (refer to FIG. 33 ). In some embodiments, a deliverylocation and pickup location are at the same coordinates/location, suchas when a home, office, etc. is both receiving a package and sending apackage via a delivery operator that is utilizing the air trafficcontrol system 300/drone delivery system 2000. The package being sentmay be a new package being sent to a designated location or may be apreviously delivered package being returned.

When picking up packages from various distribution/pickup locations2002, the UAV 50 may need to distinguish between packages that the UAV50 is assigned to pick up and other packages, such as those for otherUAVs to pick up and packages previously delivered to that location (incases where the pickup location and delivery location are the same) thatare not designated for return. In such cases the UAV 50 can scan thepackage, such as by using a camera or barcode reader, to identify thepackage. The package can include a barcode, such as a linear or matrixbarcode, to identify the package, provide or verify deliveryinstructions, and the like.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart of a package delivery and return method 3700. Themethod can be combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. Thepackage delivery and return method 3700 can include, in an air trafficcontrol system 300 configured to manage UAV flight in a geographicregion, communicating to one or more UAVs 50 over one or more wirelessnetworks (step 3702). The package delivery and return method 3700 canalso include receiving a delivery request from a company specifying afirst pickup location, a first package, and a delivery location (step3704). The package delivery method 3700 can further include receiving apickup request specifying a second pickup location and a second package.The pickup request can also include a destination location, which caninclude a final destination for the second package, which may need to berouted to a distribution location for further processing. Thus, adistribution location for further processing may need to be determinedbased on the second pickup location, the final destination, and thelike.

The package delivery and return method 3700 can further includedetermining whether the delivery location and the second pickup locationare the same (step 3706). In embodiments, the delivery location and thesecond pickup location are the same when the delivery coordinates match,the delivery addresses match, the delivery coordinates fall within thesame property, the delivery coordinates are within a predetermineddistance to one another, or the like.

The package delivery and return method 3700 can yet further includeselecting a UAV 50 of the one or more UAVs 50 to perform both thedelivery request and the pickup request (step 3708); and directing theUAV 50 to pick up the package at the first pickup location, deliver thepackage to the delivery location, and pick up the second package,wherein the air traffic control system 300 provides a flight plan to theUAV 50 based on the delivery and pickup requests (step 3710). Step 3710can include instructing the UAV 50 to scan the delivery location for thesecond package. In the event that the final location of the secondpackage is within a flying range of the UAV 50 (i.e. the UAV 50 candeliver the second package to the final location in a single flightwithout recharging or refueling), the air traffic control system 300 candirect the UAV 50 to deliver the second package to the final destinationfor the second package, which can be included in the flight plan for theUAV 50.

Furthermore, the air traffic control system 300 can instruct the UAV 50to scan for a second package upon delivery of the first package withouthaving received the pickup request. Upon identifying the second package,the UAV 50 can scan the package for identifying information and deliveryinstructions (such as by reading a barcode), which can be transmitted bythe UAV 50 to the air traffic control system 300, which receives thedelivery instructions, processes the instructions, and directs the UAV50 to pick up the second package upon confirming that the second packageshould be picked up and taken to a distribution location for furtherprocessing. Thus, in some instances, the instruction to deliver thefirst package and the instruction to pick up the second package can besent from the air traffic control system 300 to the UAV 50 at differenttimes.

§ 24.0 Multiple Package Delivery/Pickup

Again, the UAV 50 can handle multiple packages at the same time,including from different distribution/pickup locations 2002 and withdifferent delivery locations 2004. As such, the UAV 50 can deliver oneor more packages to a first location and one or more packages to asecond location, which is located at a different set of coordinates thanthe first location. The coordinates can be defined as waypoints, asdiscussed above. Furthermore, the UAV 50 can pick up one or morepackages from a different location after delivering one or morepackages.

In the event that multiple packages are being delivered to the samelocation or picked up from the same location, the UAV 50 can beinstructed to pick up and deliver a container, bin, or the like thatholds the multiple packages during transit to the location.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart of a package delivery method 3800. The method canbe combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. The packagedelivery method 3800 includes, in an air traffic control system 300configured to manage UAV flight in a geographic region, communicating toone or more UAVs 50 over one or more wireless networks (step 3802). Thepackage delivery method 3800 can also include receiving multipledelivery requests, each delivery request specifying a pickup location,one or more packages, and a delivery location for each package (step3804). The package delivery method 3800 can further include determiningwhether multiple packages including a first package for delivery at afirst delivery location (at a first set of coordinates) and a secondpackage for delivery at a second delivery location (at a second set ofcoordinates different than the first set of coordinates) are deliverablein a single flight of a UAV 50 (step 3806). The first and second set ofcoordinates can be a specific geographic point, a waypoint, and thelike. Step 3806 and a number of the multiple packages selected fordelivery by the UAV 50 can be determined based on the weight of thepackages, the distances between the pickup and delivery locations, and arange of the UAVs 50 based on battery levels and/or fuel status of theUAVs 50.

The package delivery method 3800 can yet further include selecting theUAV 50 of the one or more UAVs 50 for delivering the multiple packages(step 3808); and directing the UAV 50 to pick up the multiple packages,and deliver the first package at the first delivery location and thesecond package at the second delivery location, wherein the air trafficcontrol system 300 provides a flight plan to the UAV 50 based on thefirst and second delivery locations (step 3810).

The air traffic control system 300 can optimize the flight plan suchthat the second package can be picked up simultaneously with the firstpackage (when the pickup location is the same for both), before thepickup of the first package, after the pickup of the first package,before the delivery of the first package, or after the delivery of thefirst package based on the locations of each of the pickup and deliverylocations.

The delivery and pickup locations can each be one of distributionlocations, homes, offices, and the like.

§ 25.0 Delayed Delivery

Again, the UAV 50 can be instructed to deliver one or more packages toone or more delivery locations. However, at times, the delivery to aparticular location may need to be delayed, which can occur after theUAV 50 has been dispatched and is already traveling and following theflight plan provided by the air traffic control system 300. Such delayscould be the result of a temporary obstruction in the flight path,temporary unavailability of the delivery location, a mobile recipientthat has not reached the delivery location yet, and the like. When thenecessity to delay the delivery is temporary, the UAV 50 can hold aposition until receiving instructions to complete the delivery. Whileholding position, the UAV 50 can hover in place, move to specificcoordinates to hover, or can land to preserve battery power/fuel. Thespecific coordinates can be a specific point, a waypoint, and the like.The landing location can be a secure location, a distribution location,an emergency landing location, a recharging location for the UAV 50, andthe like.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart of a package delivery delay method 3900. Themethod can be combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. Thepackage delivery delay method 3900 can include, in an air trafficcontrol system 300 configured to manage UAV flight in a geographicregion, communicating to one or more UAVs 50 over one or more wirelessnetworks (step 3902). The package delivery delay method 3900 can alsoinclude directing a UAV 50, in transit to deliver a package to adelivery location and following a flight plan provided to the UAV 50 bythe air traffic control system 300 or by a drone operator, including thedrone operator using the air traffic control system 300, to hold aposition (step 3904); and directing the UAV 50 to deliver the packageafter holding the position (step 3906). Steps 3904 and 3906 can beperformed simultaneously, such as by instructing the UAV 50 to hold fora predetermined amount of time or can be sent separately. Steps 3904 and3906 may be sent separately when the amount of time that the UAV 50 isto hold its position is not known at the time of step 3904. Step 3906can also include instructions for the UAV 50 to follow an updated flightplan.

§ 26.0 Cancel/Update Delivery

Again, the UAV 50 can be instructed to deliver one or more packages toone or more delivery locations. As noted above, delivery to a particularlocation may need to be delayed. This delay may need to be for anextended period of time and cannot be completed within the currentflight of the UAV 50. Furthermore, delivery may need to be canceled orre-routed/changed. The re-route may be due to a change in the deliverylocation of the package, which may or may not be completable within thecurrent flight of the UAV 50. In instances where the re-route cannot becompleted within the current flight of the UAV 50, delivery of thepackage can be cancelled and the package can be returned to the originalpickup location.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart of a package delivery cancelation method 4000.The method can be combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. Thepackage delivery cancelation method 4000 can include, in an air trafficcontrol system 300 configured to manage UAV flight in a geographicregion, communicating to one or more UAVs 50 over one or more wirelessnetworks (step 4002). The package delivery cancelation method 4000 canalso include directing the UAV 50 to pick up the package at the pickuplocation and to deliver the package to the delivery location, whereinthe air traffic control system 300 provides a flight plan to the UAV 50based on the delivery request (step 4004). The package deliverycancelation method 4000 can also include directing the UAV 50, intransit to deliver the package, to return the package to a locationwhere the UAV 50 originally picked up the package (step 4006).

FIG. 41 is a flowchart of a package delivery method 4100. The method canbe combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. The packagedelivery method 4100 can include, in an air traffic control system 300configured to manage UAV flight in a geographic region, communicating toone or more UAVs 50 over one or more wireless networks (step 4102). Thepackage delivery method 4100 can also include directing the UAV 50 topick up the package at the pickup location and to deliver the package tothe delivery location, wherein the air traffic control system provides aflight plan to the UAV 50 based on the delivery request (step 4104). Thepackage delivery method 4100 can also include directing the UAV 50, intransit to deliver the package, to deliver the package to an updateddelivery location, the updated location being at different coordinatesthan the original delivery location (step 4106). Step 4106 can alsoinclude instructions for the UAV 50 to follow an updated flight plan.

§ 27.0 Flight Path Control

Again, the air traffic control system 300 can be used to schedule,manage, and coordinate pickup, distribution, delivery, and returns ofone or more packages. As described above, the air traffic control system300 can determine flight plans for one or more UAVs 50 and communicatethose flight plans to the UAVs 50. Each flight plan can include a flightpath for the UAV 50. The flight path can be over various types ofterrain, can take the UAV 50 in and out of various flying lanes, and cantake the UAV 50 to multiple locations.

The flight plan can include instructing the UAV 50 to follow a road,street, or a highway at a particular altitude for a specific distanceand then move to new coordinates once the distance is achieved. The UAV50 maintaining flight along the road can be achieved by following aspecific set of coordinates identifying the path over the road, streetor highway and can also be achieved by using cameras to identify theroad and to maintain flight above the road until the distance isachieved or until a set of coordinates, signifying the distance has beenachieved, is reached.

In embodiments, the set of coordinates can be the pickup or deliverylocation, and the air traffic control system 300 can instruct the UAV 50to follow one or more roads until the pickup or delivery location isreached. This instruction can be such that the UAV 50 follows the one ormore roads from the time the UAV 50 exits a designated flying lane untilthe pickup/delivery location is reached. Indeed, the flying lanesthemselves can be defined and standardized in such a way as to be over aroad, street, or highway.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart of a package delivery method 4200. The method canbe combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. The packagedelivery method 4200 can include, in an air traffic control system 300configured to manage UAV flight in a geographic region, communicating toone or more UAVs 50 over one or more wireless networks (step 4202). Thepackage delivery method 4200 can also include directing the UAV 50 topick up the package at the pickup location and to deliver the package tothe delivery location (step 4204). The package delivery method 4200 canalso include directing the UAV 50, in transit, travel along at least oneof a road, highway, and street for a predetermined distance and at apredetermined altitude (step 4206). In embodiments, the method caninclude the directing the UAV 50 to utilize one or more cameras incontrol of the UAV 50 to identify the at least one of the road, highway,and street in maintaining flight above the at least one of the road,highway, and street.

Again, each flight plan can include a flight path for the UAV 50outlining a collection of points, that define how the UAV 50 should fly.As such, for a delivery, the air traffic control system 300 can instructthe UAV 50, outbound for a delivery, to move from one point to anotherin a specific order. For example, the air traffic control system 300 caninstruct the UAV 50 to move from coordinates A to coordinates B tocoordinates C (and so on) at precise speeds and altitudes until thefinal destination is reached for delivery of the package. Some of thecoordinates can define at least a portion of a flying lane defined andstandardized within the geographic region.

The air traffic control system 300 can instruct the UAV 50, inbound froma delivery, to travel along the same set of points followed whileoutbound for the delivery, but in a specific order that is a reverse ofthe outbound order of the points. Thus, from the example above, the airtraffic control system 300 can instruct the UAV 50 to move from thefinal destination to coordinates C to coordinates B to coordinates A(and so on) at precise speeds and altitudes until returning to anoriginal location of the UAV 50 or a distribution location to pick upanother package. Each of the coordinates can be a waypoint, as disclosedabove, which can define both a horizontal area and an altitude range(i.e. a volume) for the UAV 50 to travel through.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart of a package delivery method 4300. The method canbe combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. The packagedelivery method 4300 can include, in an air traffic control system 300configured to manage UAV flight in a geographic region, communicating toone or more UAVs 50 over one or more wireless networks (step 4302). Thepackage delivery method 4300 can also include directing the UAV 50 topick up the package at the pickup location and to deliver the package tothe delivery location (step 4304). The package delivery method 4300 canfurther include the air traffic control system 300 directing the UAV 50to follow an outbound flight path including a plurality of locations totravel to, in a specific order, while outbound to deliver the package,and an inbound flight path including the plurality of locations totravel to, in an order reverse of the specific order, while inbound fromdelivering the package (step 4306).

§ 28.0 Emergency Delivery

Again, the air traffic control system 300 can direct a UAV 50 to pick upa package and deliver the package to a delivery location. In someinstances, the package delivery may be urgent, such as for an emergency.For example, the package can include emergency equipment, such as adefibrillator, medicine, equipment to pry open vehicles, and the like.Similarly, the delivery can be of a patient requiring quick transferfrom one location to another, such as from a scene of an accident to ahospital.

When a delivery is identified or classified as urgent, provisions forthe flight plan can be made to ensure that the package can be deliveredas quickly as possible. The flight plan can include a flight path thatis a parabolic arc that the UAV 50 follows, traveling at higher speedsthan other UAV traffic or at a maximum permissible speed. The parabolicarc can be over other existing UAV traffic (identified or classified asnon-urgent), such as at higher altitudes and over other flying lanes,such as those defined and standardized in the geographic region.

Furthermore, a flying lane can be defined for urgent deliveries, such asthose for emergencies. The UAV 50 can climb vertically, at an inclinedangle, or on an arc as quickly as possible to the flying lane and thentravel horizontally in the urgent flying lane at higher speeds than UAVtraffic in other lanes or at a maximum permissible speed.

When determining the optimum route for the UAV 50 for an urgentdelivery, the paths and flying lanes for other UAVs 50 may interferetherewith. As such, the paths and flying lanes of other UAVs 50 can bere-routed to clear the optimum route for the UAV 50. For example, theoptimum route for the UAV 50 can be considered to be a temporaryobstruction and can be treated as an obstruction (as described above) tothe other flying paths and flying lanes.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart of an urgent package delivery method 4400. Themethod can be combined with any of the methods disclosed herein. Theurgent package delivery method 4400 can include, in an air trafficcontrol system 300 configured to manage UAV flight in a geographicregion, communicating to one or more UAVs 50 over one or more wirelessnetworks (step 4402). The urgent package delivery method 4400 can alsoinclude directing the UAV 50 to pick up the package at the pickuplocation and to deliver the package to the delivery location, whereinthe package is classified for an urgent delivery (step 4404). The urgentpackage delivery method 4400 can further include the air traffic controlsystem 300 directing the UAV 50 to travel at a higher speed than other,non-urgent, UAV traffic controlled by the air traffic control system 300and to travel at a different altitude than the non-urgent UAV traffic(step 4406).

§ 28.0 Drone Loading

Again, UAVs 50 can be instructed to travel to a pickup location wherethe UAVs are loaded with one or more items for delivery to a deliverylocation. The distribution of the weight of the items can negativelyaffect the flight and control of the UAVs 50, such as unexpectedrotation, a pull in one or more lateral directions, and can makeelevation changes difficult. Further, the UAV 50 may require constantcorrections to maintain flight that can reduce the ability of the UAV 50to stay on course. The items can be stand-alone or contained withinpackages to be delivered or otherwise transported by the UAV 50.

UAVs 50 can be loaded in many different ways. FIGS. 45-47 areperspective views of a UAV 50 loaded with one or more items for use withthe systems and methods described herein. As can be seen in FIG. 45 , anitem 60 can be secured directly to the UAV 50, such as to a lower frame54 of the UAV 50. The item 60 can be positioned under the lower frame54, between legs of the lower frame 54, can be secured to a body 52 ofthe UAV 50, and the like.

As can be seen in FIG. 46 , a removable container 70 can be secureddirectly to the UAV 50. The container 70 can be configured to hold oneor more items. Like the item 60, the container 70 can be secured to alower frame 54 of the UAV 50, the body 52 of the UAV 50, and the like.The container 70 can be positioned below the lower frame 54, between thelower frame 54, and within the body 52 of the UAV 50.

As can be seen in FIG. 47 , the body 52 of the UAV 50 can include acargo bay 80 that is integral to the body 52. The cargo bay 80 can beconfigured to hold one or more items, can include one or morecompartments, and can include shelving for holding the one or moreitems.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart of a method 4800 for loading a UAV 50 with one ormore items. The method includes determining a COG of each of the one ormore items at step 4802. The COG can be determined separately for eachitem or can be determined for multiple items combined together. Themultiple items can be secured together in a separate box, in a reusablecontainer, such as container 70, by wrapping the multiple items in thinplastic film, by strapping the multiple items together with cords, bystrapping the multiple items together with bands, by wrapping aparachute around multiple items, by attaching a parachute to themultiple items, and the like. When separate centers of gravity aredetermined, a combined COG can then be determined using the separatecenters of gravity and the separate weights of each of the multipleitems. When multiple items are secured together, the securing medium canalso be included in the combined COG.

In some embodiments, the COG is determined using one or more scales. Inone embodiment, a weight distribution of the one or more items isdetermined with the item in multiple orientations and the resultingdistributions are used to determine the COG. For example, each corner ofthe item can be weighed by a separate scale simultaneously with the itemlying flat, and then can be weighed by one or more of the scalessimultaneously with the item positioned at an angle.

In some embodiments, the COG is determined using the UAV 50. In theseembodiments, the UAV 50 temporarily lifts the item. The flight data,such as the flight corrections, speeds of each rotor 58, accelerometerdata recorded during the flight, drift of the UAV 50, and the like,during the temporary lift can then be used to estimate the COG of theone or more items or of the loaded UAV 50. Flight data for lifting itemswith a known COGs can be recorded and used in comparison to estimate aCOG of the one or more items. In some embodiments, the one or more itemsare weighed prior to be lifted by the UAV 50 and the weight is used inthe estimation. In other embodiments, the weight is also estimated basedon the lifting of the one or more items by the UAV by comparison to theflight data for lifting items with known weights and known COGs.

The method also includes matching a combined COG of the one or moreitems with a COG of the UAV 50 at step 4804. In embodiments, matchingthe COG of the one or more items with the COG of the UAV 50 is definedas positioning the combined COG within a predetermined region around theCOG of the UAV 50. In some embodiments, the size of the predeterminedregion varies based on a combined weight of the one or more items. Inembodiments, step 4804 includes determining a combined COG of the one ormore items and the UAV 50 and determining whether the combined COG fallswithin a predetermined region around the original COG of the UAV 50.

In embodiments, the one or more items includes a container 70 and one ormore packages, and matching the combined COG of the one or more itemswith the COG of the UAV includes positioning the one or more packageswithin the container 70 such that the combined COG of the container andthe one or more packages matches the COG of the UAV. The COG of any typeof securing medium can also be included in the combined COG that ismatched with the COG of the UAV.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart of a method 4900 for loading a UAV 50 withmultiple items. The method 4900 can be combined and used with the method4800 discussed above. The method 4900 includes determining a weight,size, and COG of each of the multiple items at step 4902.

The method 4900 also includes positioning the multiple items relative toone another such that a combined COG of the multiple items will bepositioned within a predetermined region at step 4904. In embodiments,the predetermined region is defined relative to one of a COG of the UAV50, the COG of the container 70 to be transported by the UAV 50, the COGof the cargo bay 80 of the UAV 50, combinations thereof, and the like.The size and dimensions of the predetermined region may be determinedbased on the capabilities of the UAV 50, the size of the UAV 50, thesize and weight of the container 70, a combined weight of the multipleitems, and the like.

In embodiments, positioning the multiple items relative to one anotherincludes one or more of securing the multiple items to walls, shelves,and the like of a cardboard box, a container 70, or a cargo bay 80. Insome embodiments, positioning the multiple items relative to one anotherincludes using spacers and fillers to position the multiple items withina cardboard box, a container 70, or a cargo bay 80. In some embodiments,multiple items are positioned relative to one another using spacers andthen wrapped together using plastic wrap, straps, cords, and the like.The spacers and fillers can include lightweight materials such ascardboard, polystyrene foam, air pillows, inflated cushioning, paper,and the like. The spacers and fillers can include various shapes, suchas cuboids, wedges, cylinders, and the like. The spacers and fillers canalso include loose-fill and other void filling packaging. The density ofthe spacers and fillers is such that shifting of the multiple items isprevented during flight of the UAV 50.

The method 4900 further includes loading the multiple items onto the UAV50 with the combined COG of the multiple items positioned within thepredetermined region at step 4906. In some embodiments, steps 4904 and4906 are performed simultaneously, such as when the multiple items aredirectly loaded into the cargo bay 80 of the UAV 50.

FIG. 50 is a schematic illustration of a container 70 with multipleitems 60 positioned therein. In embodiments, the items 60 are secured toone or more of the walls 71 and shelves 72, positioned using one or morespacers 76, such as the spacers discussed above, and held in place usingfiller 77, such as the filler discussed above. In the embodimentillustrated, one item 60 is positioned at an upper center location ofthe container 70 with a spacer 76 locating the item 60 relative to ashelf 72. In embodiments, the heaviest item 60 is positioned in thislocation. This item 60 is also held in place using straps 74, whichsecure the item 60 to the shelf 72 using a fastening device 73, such asa hook, perforation in the shelf, hook and loop fasteners, and the like.The straps 74 can be woven material, tape, rubber bands, string, and thelike. The item 60 can similarly be secured to one or more of the walls71 of the container 70. In the embodiment illustrated, two items 60 aresecured together using a wrapping material 78, such as the materialsdisclosed above, woven material, tape, rubber bands, string, and thelike, and the two items 60 are positioned within the container 70 usingmultiple spacers 76. The two joined items 60 and another item 60 arethen held in position by filling a remainder of the surrounding areawith a filler material 77, such as the filler materials disclosed above.While a particular orientation of items 60 is illustrated above, anycombination of the methods for positioned items 60 within the container70 can be used. Similar methods can be used for positioned items 60within the cargo bay 80 or within a cardboard box, and the like.

In some embodiments, weights 90 are positioned within the container 70(or similarly positioned within a cardboard box and cargo bay 80) forbalancing the combined COG of the UAV 50 with the loaded container 70,cardboard box, cargo bay 80, and the like. The weight 90 can be fastenedto the walls 71 and to a shelf 72, can be positioned using spacers 76and filler 77, can be secured using straps 74, can be secured using hookand loop fasteners, and the like. In some embodiments, the spacers 76are configured to receive one or more weights 90 for positioning theweight 90 within the container 70. In some embodiments, the weights 90are positioned within compartments 79 of the container 70 or cargo bay80, which are dedicated compartments for receiving weights 90 therein.In embodiments, the compartments 79 are positioned around a perimeter,such as at the corners, of the container 70 or cargo bay 80. Similarly,the compartments 79 can be positioned around a perimeter of the body 52of the UAV 50. The compartments 79 are accessible from at least one ofan exterior and interior of the container 70, cargo bay 80, or UAV 50.In some embodiments, the compartments 79 are configured to receivefurther shelves 72 with fastening devices 73 for securing the weights 90within the compartments 79.

FIG. 51 is a perspective view of a UAV 50 for use with the systems andmethods described herein. In embodiments, the UAV 50 includes weights 90for balancing the COG of the UAV 50, and in particular, for balancing acombined COG of the UAV 50 and a load carried thereby. The weights 90can be positioned around the exterior of the UAV 50, as shown in FIG. 51and can be positioned within the interior of the UAV 50 as disclosedabove. In embodiments, the UAV 50 includes fastening positions 59configured to receive fasteners 91 for securing the weights 90 to theUAV 50. In some embodiments, the UAV 50 includes one or more rods 57which slidably receive one or more weights 90. The weights 90 receivedthereon being configured to slide along the rod 57 and to be securablein multiple positions thereto, such as by a fastener 91. The fasteners91 can be bolts, pins, spring loaded pins, clamps, and the like. Whilethe slidable weights 90 are shown on an exterior of the UAV 50, in someembodiments, the slidable weights 90 are positioned within an interiorof the UAV 50.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart of a method 5200 for loading one of a UAV 50 anda container 70 for the UAV 50 with one or more items. The methodincludes determining a COG of the one or more items at step S202. Themethod 5200 also includes loading the one of the UAV 50 and thecontainer 70 for the UAV 50 with the one or more items based on the COGof the one or more items at step S204. The method 5200 further includespositioning one or more weights relative to the one or more items andrelative to the one of the UAV 50 and the container 70 for the UAV 50such that a combined COG of the one or more items, the one of the UAV 50and the container 70 for the UAV 50, and the one or more weights ispositioned within a predetermined region relative to the one of the UAV50 and the container 70 for the UAV 50 at step S206. In embodiments, thepredetermined region is defined relative a COG of the one of the UAV 50and the container 70 for the UAV 50. In some embodiments, variouscombinations of the weights 90 disclosed above are used in step S206.

In some embodiments, steps S204 and S206 are performed simultaneously.In further embodiments, the method 5200 is combined with other methods,such as methods 4800 and 4900, disclosed herein. In embodiments, the oneof the UAV and the container for the UAV include fastening positions onan exterior thereof, and the method includes determining which of thefastening positions to secure the one or more weights 90 to. In someembodiments, the loading the one or more items and positioning the oneor more weights 90 includes securing the one or more items and the oneor more weights 90 to one of walls and shelves of the one of the UAV andthe container for the UAV.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart of a method 5300 for loading a UAV 50 with one ormore items. The method 5300 includes determining a weight and a COG ofeach of a plurality of objects at step S302. The plurality of objectsincludes one or more of a UAV 50, a container 70, one or more items tobe delivered, and packaging for securing the one or more items to bedelivered within one of the UAV 50 and the container 70. In embodimentswhere one of the objects is the UAV 50, the weight and the COG of theUAV 50 can be obtained from a database storing the information frompreviously performed measurements of the weight and COG of the UAV 50.Similarly, the weight and COG of the container 70 can be obtained from adatabase storing the information from previously performed measurementsof the weight and COG of the container 70.

The method 5300 also includes optimizing a combined COG of the pluralityof objects for performing delivery by the UAV 50 at step S304. Inembodiments, optimizing the combined COG includes determining anorientation of the plurality of objects relative to one another tominimize a vertical difference between the combined COG of the pluralityof objects and a COG of the UAV 50, while laterally matching thecombined COG of the plurality of objects with the COG of the UAV 50 inat least one direction. In some embodiments, the combined COG islaterally matched in a side to side direction, while the offset ismaintained within a predetermined distance in a forward direction. Thepredetermined distance may be based on a combined weight of theplurality of objects.

In other embodiments, the lateral matching of the combined COG with theCOG of the UAV 50 is in both the side to side and the front to backdirection. In such an optimization, the combined COG is positioneddirectly below the COG of the UAV 50 at a minimal distance based on thesizes, weights, and center of gravities of the plurality of objects. Inother embodiments, optimizing the combined COG includes determining anorientation of the plurality of objects that minimizes an overalldistance between the combined COG of the plurality of objects and a COGof the UAV 50. In some of these embodiments, minimizing the overalldistance includes maintaining the side to side and front to back lateraloffsets within predetermined distances. These predetermined distancesmay be based on a combined weight of the plurality of objects.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart of a method 5400 for loading a UAV 50 with one ormore items. The method 5400 includes positioning on or more items inspecific positions within one of a UAV 50 and a container 70 configuredto be carried by the UAV 50 based on a COG of each of the one or moreitems at step S402. The method 5400 also includes securing the one ormore items in the specific positions within the one of the UAV 50 andthe container 70, to prevent the one or more items from shifting andchanging a combined COG of the one or more items combined with the oneof the UAV 50 and the container 70 during a flight of the UAV at stepS404. The one or more items are secured using one or more of straps 74,wrapping material 78, fastening devices 73, spacers 76, filler material77, adhesive, such as glue and adhesive gel, cardboard, and the like.

In embodiments, the UAV 50 and the container 70 include one or moreshelves 72. The shelves can be removable. The shelves 72 includefastening devices 73 and can be configured to receive the straps 74 andthe adhesive.

In embodiments, the method further includes determining a specificposition for each of the one or more items based on a COG of each of theone or more items and a COG of the one of the UAV 50 and the container70.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart of a method 5500 for loading a UAV 50 with one ormore items. The method 5500 includes obtaining a COG of each of the oneor more items and at least one physical characteristic of each of theone or more items at step S502. In embodiments, the physicalcharacteristics include at least one of dimensions, such as height,width, and length, of the item, a centroid of the item, weight of theitem, orientation limitations of an item, fragility of an item, and thelike.

The method 5500 also includes categorizing each of the one or more itemsbased on the obtained COG and the at least one physical characteristicof the one or more items at step S504. In embodiments, thecategorizations include at least one of an offset of the COG from thecentroid of the item, a position of the COG relative to one or more ofthe dimensions of the item, a position of the COG and the weight of theitem, and a position of the COG and an overall size of the item. In someembodiments, each item is labeled with each of the categorizations madefor the item. The labels can be alphanumeric, scannable codes, such asbarcodes and matrix barcodes, color codes, and the like.

The method 5500 further includes selecting, for each of the one or moreitems, a UAV 50 to transport the corresponding one or more items basedon the categorization of each of the one or more items at step S506. Adifferent UAV 50 can be selected for each of the items. In embodiments,smaller, lighter, and more balanced items (i.e. items with a smalloffset between the COG and the centroid of the item) are assigned tosmaller and less powerful UAVs 50, while larger, bulkier, and imbalanceditems (with a large offset between the COG and the centroid of the item)are assigned to larger and more powerful UAVs 50. Assignments can alsobe made based on further available spaces in containers 70 and cargobays 80, as well as for balancing purposes, such as assigning two itemsto a same UAV 50 that have similar properties for counterbalancing suchproperties during the balancing methods disclosed herein. The method5500 can be used in combination with other methods disclosed hereinincluding the methods 4800, 4900, 5200, 5300, and 5400.

The methods 4800, 4900, 5200, 5300, 5400, and 5500 can also be used inconjunction with the other methods disclosed herein. For example, duringflying lane management by the air traffic control system 300, one ormore of the size of the load, the positioning of the COG of theload/combined COG of the load and UAV 50, and the overall weight of theUAV 50 combined with the load can be provided to the air traffic controlsystem 300, such as during the preflight communication of step 752 ofthe flying lane management method 750. The air traffic control system300 can use this information when determining a flying lane 700 for theUAV 50. Similarly, this information can be used during the flying lanemanagement method 1850 to select a flying lane of a plurality of flyinglanes for the UAV 40. For example, a heavier UAV 50 may need to travelat slower speeds, while a UAV 50 with an imbalanced load may require alarger flying lane and increased spacing from other UAVs. Thus, the airtraffic control system 300 can use the details of how the UAV 50 isloaded in order to better manage the flight thereof.

The methods 4800, 4900, 5200, 5300, 5400, and 5500 can also be usedduring the UAV selection step 2016 of method 2010. Furthermore, themethods 4800, 4900, 5200, 5300, 5400, and 5500 can also be used duringthe method 3700 to determine whether a second item can be picked up froma second location and can be used during the method 3800 for determininga delivery order, such as what affect the delivery and removal of afirst item or item will have on the combined COG of the remaining items.

§ 29.0 Satellite Networks

Various embodiments of the present disclosure utilize various satellitenetworks (for example, the Starlink satellite network) to communicatewith one or more UAVs. An example Starlink constellation can include aplurality of satellites per orbital plane. A snapshot of a localsatellite network including a group of satellites in ascending orbitsover the continental US is frozen in time and shown in FIG. 56 . In FIG.56 , satellites 5600 are dots. Dashed lines are intra-planeInter-Satellite Links (ISLs) 5602 and also indicate orbital planes,while dotted line are inter-plane ISLs 5604, together illustrating arelevant mesh-grid portion of the satellite network.

More particularly, the present UAV air traffic control systems andmethods relate to air traffic control of UAVs via various wirelessnetworks. The present disclosure may utilize existing or new satellitenetworks to provide air traffic control of UAVs. Advantageously,satellite networks provide low latency connectivity, low costconnectivity, and broad geographic coverage. The air traffic control ofthe UAVs can include, for example, separation assurance between UAVs;navigation assistance; weather and obstacle reporting; monitoring ofspeed, altitude, location, direction, etc.; traffic management; landingservices; and real-time control.

As disclosed herein, the one or more UAVs can be equipped with a mobiledevice, such as an embedded mobile device or physical hardware emulatinga mobile device. In various embodiments, UAV flight plans can beconstrained based on the availability of coverage, detectedobstructions, and other factors disclosed herein.

The satellite networks of the present disclosure can be used incombination with other networks such as cellular networks or the like.In an exemplary embodiment, the UAV can be equipped with hardware tosupport plural satellite networks in combination with other wirelessnetworks, to allow for broad coverage support. In a further embodiment,the air traffic control can use plural satellite networks in combinationwith other wireless networks for different purposes such as using a NASnetwork for location and traffic management and using the satellitenetwork for the other functions.

The UAV air traffic control system can include a satellite network inaddition to a plurality of other wireless networks communicativelycoupled to one or more servers and to a plurality of UAVs. The networkcan be formed in part with a plurality of satellites (for example, aconstellation of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO)), geographicallydispersed. The satellites are configured to backhaul communications fromsubscribers. In the UAV air traffic control system, the subscribers arethe UAVs (in addition to conventional mobile devices), and thecommunications are between the UAVs and a plurality of servers. Otherwireless networks can include, for example, NAS networks, GPS and/orGLONASS, WLAN networks, private wireless networks, cellular networks, orany other wireless networks.

The servers are configured to provide air traffic control and can bedeployed in a control center, at a customer premises, in the cloud, orthe like. Again, the servers are configured to receive communicationsfrom the UAVs such as for continuous monitoring and of relevant detailsof each UAV such as location, altitude, speed, direction, function, etc.The servers can be further configured to transmit communications to theUAVs such as for control based on the details, such as to preventcollisions, to enforce policies, to provide navigational control, toactually fly the UAVs, to land the UAVs, and the like. That is,generally, communications from the UAV to the server are for detailedmonitoring and communications to the UAV from the server are for controlthereof. Again, the communication between the UAVs and the servers canbe through one or more satellite networks or a combination of differentnetworks.

One aspect of the present UAV air traffic control systems and methods isto maintain a precise location at all times of the one or more UAVs.This can be accomplished in a plurality of ways, including acombination. The UAV air traffic control system can use triangulationbased on the multiple satellites, location identifiers from GPS/GLONASStransmitted over the satellite network by the UAVs, sensors in the UAVfor determining altitude, speed, etc., and the like.

§ 30.0 Conclusion

Although the present disclosure has been illustrated and describedherein with reference to preferred embodiments and specific examplesthereof, it will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in theart that other embodiments and examples may perform similar functionsand/or achieve like results. All such equivalent embodiments andexamples are within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure, arecontemplated thereby, and are intended to be covered by the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) air trafficcontrol method utilizing wireless networks, the UAV air traffic controlmethod comprising: communicating with a plurality of UAVs via aplurality of satellites associated with the wireless networks, whereinthe plurality of UAVs each comprise hardware and antennas adapted tocommunicate to the plurality of satellites; maintaining data associatedwith flight of each of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating;and processing the maintained data to perform a plurality of functionsassociated with air traffic control of the plurality of UAVs.
 2. TheUAV-based method of claim 1, further comprising: transmitting data basedon the processing to one or more of the plurality of UAVs to perform theplurality of functions.
 3. The UAV-based method of claim 1, wherein theplurality of UAVs are configured to additionally communicate with acellular network and constrain flight based on coverage of a pluralityof call towers and satellites.
 4. The UAV-based method of claim 3,wherein the constrained flight comprises one or more of pre-configuringthe plurality of UAVs to operate only where the coverage exists,monitoring cell and satellite signal strength by the plurality of UAVsand adjusting flight based therein, and a combination thereof.
 5. TheUAV-based method of claim 1, wherein the maintaining data comprises theplurality of UAVs and/or the plurality of satellites providing location,speed, direction, and altitude.
 6. The UAV-based method of claim 5,wherein the location is determined based on a combination oftriangulation by the plurality of satellites and a determination by theUAV based on a location identification network.
 7. The UAV-based methodof claim 1, wherein the plurality of functions comprise one or more ofseparation assurance between UAVs; navigation assistance; weather andobstacle reporting; monitoring of speed, altitude, location, anddirection; traffic management; landing services; and real-time control.8. The UAV-based method of claim 1, wherein one or more of the pluralityof UAVs are configured for autonomous operation through the air trafficcontrol.
 9. The UAV-based method of claim 1, wherein the plurality ofUAVs are configured with mobile device hardware configured to operate ona plurality of different networks.
 10. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV)adapted for air traffic control via an air traffic control systemcommunicatively coupled to wireless networks, the UAV comprising: one ormore rotors disposed to a body; wireless interfaces comprising hardwareand antennas adapted to communicate to a plurality of satellites; aprocessor coupled to the wireless interfaces and the one or more rotors;and memory storing instructions that, when executed, cause the processorto: communicate with a plurality of satellites associated with thewireless networks; transmit data associated with flight of each of theplurality of UAVs based on the communication with the plurality ofsatellites; and receive data from the plurality of satellites based onmaintained data by the air traffic control system to perform a pluralityof functions associated with air traffic control of the UAV.
 11. The UAVof claim 10, wherein the UAV is configured to additionally communicatewith a cellular network and constrain flight based on coverage of aplurality of call towers and satellites.
 12. The UAV of claim 11,wherein the constrained flight comprises one or more of pre-configuringthe UAV to operate only where the coverage exists, monitoring cell andsatellite signal strength by the UAV and adjusting flight based therein,and a combination thereof.
 13. The UAV of claim 10, wherein themaintained data comprises the UAV and/or the plurality of satellitesproviding location, speed, direction, and altitude.
 14. The UAV of claim13, wherein the location is determined based on a combination oftriangulation by the plurality of satellites and a determination by theUAV based on a location identification network.
 15. The UAV of claim 10,wherein the plurality of functions comprise one or more of separationassurance between UAVs; navigation assistance; weather and obstaclereporting; monitoring of speed, altitude, location, and direction;traffic management; landing services; and real-time control.
 16. The UAVof claim 10, wherein the UAV is configured for autonomous operationthrough the air traffic control system.
 17. The UAV of claim 10, whereinthe UAV is configured with mobile device hardware configured to operateon a plurality of different networks.
 18. An Unmanned Aerial Vehicle(UAV) air traffic control system utilizing wireless networks, the UAVair traffic control system comprising: a processor and a networkinterface communicatively coupled to one another; and memory storinginstructions that, when executed, cause the processor to: communicate,via the network interface, with a plurality of UAVs via a plurality ofsatellites associated with the wireless networks, wherein the pluralityof UAVs each comprise hardware and antennas adapted to communicate tothe plurality of satellites; maintain data associated with flight ofeach of the plurality of UAVs based on the communicating; and processthe maintained data to perform a plurality of functions associated withair traffic control of the plurality of UAVs.
 19. The UAV-based systemof claim 18, wherein the plurality of UAVs are configured toadditionally communicate with one or more cellular networks and includehardware and antennas adapted to communicate to a plurality of celltowers, and wherein the plurality of UAVs are further configured toconstrain flight based on coverage of a plurality of call towers andsatellites.
 20. The UAV-based system of claim 19, wherein theconstrained flight comprises one or more of pre-configuring theplurality of UAVs to operate only where the coverage exists, monitoringcell and satellite signal strength by the plurality of UAVs andadjusting flight based therein, and a combination thereof.